“Arteria Assailed


    Earlier today, we have received reports that the city of Arteria has suffered from an explosion near their port district. While reports are still forthcoming, any travellers who intend to travel to the city should be advised that the situation is still unclear and should refrain from entering city limits until more information is available. This advisory is to warn of the potential for martial law being employed. ”


    - The Ascar Gazette, Front Page, “Emergency Advisory on Arteria”


    <hr><hr>


    Arterian Underground


    Arteria was teetering on the brink of war. Eva didn’t need to even read the news to learn that much. Travelling using the underground dwarven passages, whispers from the surface had reached even down here. Talks of ‘attacks’ ‘lockdowns’ ‘quarantines’ and ‘blockaded streets’ more than illustrated the severity of the situation at hand.


    Ahead of her, the dwarf who was formerly plain-clothed now vanguard Tharnus Oathholder watched over the middle of the group. Two warriors ahead of him, and one more in the far back in the rear. Aryana, Sigrid and the little faerie Yana were directly behind her. The dwarves of the Hall of Light were about as expected for people of their race. Gruff, directly, and crude, but almost refreshingly. No jargon, hidden meanings or tip-toeing around topics in case of affendng a nearby priest or student. If there was something, they simply said it, and expected you to do the same.


    Stonekeeper Orthon had sat unnervingly still when the party recounted recent events. Then, as more attendants bought news of happenings south of the city, he allowed the group to rest for a few more hours before sending them away. It was that time that Aryana shot out of her seat with a request, one that more than intrigued the dwarves but horrified Eva.


    Aryana had spoken of a latent spirit that she somehow housed despite her weak arcane energy. A spirit that was coveted by her tribe as a powerful entity. To everyone’s shock, Aryana had resolutely declared that she wished to be rid of it, and wondered if dwarven runes could harness or even release the spirit from her.


    This seemed to take the Stonekeeper aback most of all, the old dwarf adopting a look of pure concentration as he searched the depths of his own mind. Whatever conclusion he reached, he did not tell anyone. Only that he would allow Aryana’s attempt to proceed, on the condition that whatever power they retrieved or unleashed would be left in the party’s hands, to do with or discard as they wished. Eva was baffled at why the Stonekeeper would reject the possibility of keeping such potential power in their hands, which was Aryana’s original suggestion. But after sharing a single glance with the elder dwarf, Eva understood.


    Whatever power it was, there was the possibility of drawing a lot of unwanted attention, especially in a chaotic time like this. The very same attention that the dwarfs would like to avoid. In Aryana’s case, her tribe’s dogged pursuit of this power, and in the city’s case, whatever is responsible for the current chaos aboveground.


    Thus it was that the Stonekeeper had ordered the party to go visit the ‘Hall of Seers’ located further north within Arteria. They would meet with dwarven stoneseers who would then examine Aryana to determine if anything could even be done about the spirit. It did, however, concern the group that they would essentially be cut off from the outside world and Eva volunteered to return to inform the others before they got worried with everything going on. For after seeing Sigrid in combat, albeit briefly, she trusted the mermaid enough to protect Aryana should the need arise.


    Everyone was surprised for a second time when Karzan became the one who then took Eva’s place. Making the assumption that someone would at least check the market or the guildhall for the party. He would return back aboveground and check those locations before sending a messenger for the Academy, just in case. Furthermore, he argued that despite being a dwarf, his presence would be far more incognito than the party, which at this point, Eva readily believed to be the case. His suggestion came as a welcome relief for the party, as any separation now only meant more uncertainty. Trading a few hushed words with the other dwarves and then encouraging the party to push forward, the ever familiar dwarven merchant departed once more, though accompanied by one other dwarven guard.


    Eva shot back to reality as the ground rumbled above them. Dwarves, humans, and a mermaid quickly ducked and pressed their backs against the tunnel walls, their eyes all anxiously scanning the ceiling above them. Sigrid let out a mournful trill, drawing their attention to her. Then Yana seemed to flutter erratically before darting straight for Aryana’s pocket. Then Eva finally felt it. A malignant energy. A darkness that was eerily familiar. She gripped her sword hilt tight, snarling at the ceiling as if whatever force unleashed the energy would see her. It’s like when I found Sophie in the forest. The thing around her. But… just a little different.


    Realizing she stopped breathing only when Sigrid tapped her shoulder, Eva let out a relieved sigh and nodded to indicate she was fine. Looking around, everyone seemed relatively unaffected if a little disturbed. Sigrid’s delighted trill was the call to action needed for the group to resume their trek to the Hall of Seers. But Eva couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever energy that was, it was related to Sophie somehow. God dammit, if it isn’t one thing it’s another. Eva grunted to herself and carried on moving forward, one step at a time. I hope you’re alright, Soph. The rest of you as well.


    <hr><hr>


    The Hall of Seers was a grand, imposing stone structure. Unlike the Hall of Light, there was no pretense of looking like someone’s basement or unlawful tavern. This was pure dwarven creation, no room left for doubts. Majestic stone columns and ornately gilded statues guided the way past dozens of annexes and rooms.


    Eva could scarcely wrap her mind around the fact that this entire creation simply existed under Arteria. That there was somehow the space for this construction despite the countless basements and buildings just above them. Even the guards here wore plated armour inscribed with runes, their weapons gleaming with a mystic shine Eva hadn’t seen before.


    Both Sigrid and Yana seemed tense, the two more magically inclined creatures likely feeling the effects of the runic energies of this place. Eva turned to give the mermaid a reassuring pat, the creature giving her a soft trill of thanks in return. Aryana was the most entranced one out of them all. The redhead taking every possible moment to burn the details into her eyes, her innate curiosity of the world getting a chance to shine now that there was a moment of calm from the chaos. Eva smiled at the sight, thought tinted with a hint of melancholy. Sophie certainly choose a good partner. Aryana would probably inspire her to explore more, to travel, heh.


    Her smile faded a little at the thought, a small frown sneaking out. Used to be our dream though, didn’t it? Be little heroes, fight evil, see the world. She let out a tired sigh, and yet we’re now on completely different paths, aren’t we, Soph? Make it back alright, yeah? I’d hate to see your girlfriend sad.


    “We’re here, just wait for a moment, visitors of the stone.” Tharnus informed them.


    Tharnus had led the group to a small chamber where more wisenzed old dwarves in robes were. Using a language that Eva could only assume was traditional dwarvish, they chatted away from their visitors. The rangers accompanying them took up positions as guards, joining the almost tank like armoured guards in the room in silent vigil while the elders talked.


    “Eva?” Aryana whispered.


    “Eh? What is it?” Eva turned to her companion, the girl looking slightly anxious, “You alright?”


    Aryana pensively twiddled her braid, the girl’s shoulders seemed to grow heavier by the minute. Her lips remained locked as she tried to sort out her own words. Concerned, Sigrid practically slithered over and quirked her head curiously at the two of them. Eva could only shrug in response as she waited for Aryana’s answer.


    Eva looked up to Yana for an explanation, but the fae shook her head.


    “This is her tale to tell.” The faerie stated.


    Both Eva and Sigrid waited, the two having gotten used to the rhymes that the fae usually spoke. But when she did not follow up, that was when Eva knew it was something that bothered Aryana deeply.


    “Aryana.”


    “Sorry. I…” Aryana mumbled.


    Sensing the discomfort, Sigrid coiled herself Aryana the best she could, resting a head on the girl’s shoulders and eliciting a small smile from the tired face.


    “Take your time. We''re in now rush.”


    “Uhn.” Aryana bobbed her head.


    Eva leaned in and held onto the redhead’s hand. “Is it about this spirit and Sophie?” She softly asked.


    Aryana nodded.


    “Are you worried it’ll affect Sophie badly?”


    Aryana nodded rapidly, “There’s so much happening right now. What… what if the moment the ritual happens… it might reverse what’s happening and hurt her?”


    “Yeah. I mean, the bond is one in which if she suffers I can heal her.”


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    “Right.”


    “So… what if by tampering with this. It ends up drawing energy away from her, takes from her. And we still don’t know where she is or what she’s doing. What if she’s fighting assassins and I… and I get her hurt. Worse than she usually gets.”


    Eva hesitantly raised her hand. Aryana lowered her head a little and Eva offered a gentle stroke the same way she used to comfort Sophie whenever the troublesome maid was frustrated. Though the situation was different, it was all the reassurance she could offer.


    “We won’t know what happens until it happens. Whatever it might be, that’s for the seers to decide.” Eva answered.


    “Whatever can break this accursed link, shouldn’t need much of a think!” Yana grumbled.


    “Yana?” Aryana’s voice timidly questioned.


    “You know what I’m talking about. It happens every time with that lout” The faerie pouted. “In a world that is filled with strife, what is precious is your life. But every time that elf gets hurt, you’re the one whose life is run into the dirt. She drains your vitality, which shortens your time in… reality.”


    Despite the seriousness of the matter, Eva couldn’t repress a tiny giggle. She just couldn’t take the faerie’s stern tone and desire to rhyme as a singular package. But she did raise some good points, if Sophie’s strange link to Aryana was one that sapped away at the poor girl’s lifeforce. Then it would be best to sever that arcane bone.


    So why is she so hesitant? In a case like this, there’s no downsides, right? Eva mused. I mean, Sophie’s been incredibly resilient and survived possibly multiple fatal wounds before. As far as they''ve told me, dwarven mines, an ambush in the library, stab wounds, the battle in Melton, before that Eichafen. Eva furrowed her brow, finally moving her hand away from Aryana’s head, completely oblivious to the faerie and redhead now questioning one another.


    So what’s the connection? Does she feel something that isn’t reflected on the outside? Eva sighed and ran a hand through her hair, taking the moment to try and reconfigure herself. As her musings came to an end, so did the group debate as robed dwarven attendants and Tharnus came over.


    “Lass. The runeseers will see ye now. Apologies to the rest, just the lass alone. They nary like arcane energies in the best of days so tis one at a time if ye have questions later.” Tharnus explained.


    With a sad little huff, Aryana stood up and smiled at the others. Most unlike herself, Yana did not immediately zip towards Aryana’s shirt pocket to hide and keep the girl safe. Instead, the fae settled upon Eva’s shoulder. Before Eva could even ask, the fae held up a finger for the universal signal of, ‘later’.


    Wavin their charge goodbye, the trio watched anxiously as the dwarves led Aryana past a stone door. Within the room, they could glimpse at least a dozen of the robed seers. Most had greybeards that were far less lively than other dwarves they had seen. Elders who had experienced the passage of time far beyond a normal human. Yet the most senior amongst them was one whose wizened features matched that of his white beard. He had met Eva’s gaze and offered a solemn but reassuring nod. One that didn’t bring too many assurances, but at least told her that the dwarf understood her concerns.


    The trio silently waited until the stone doors closed. Aryana disappeared behind them along with the seers. Only when a moment of quiet followed and the rustling of papers, stone tables and runes in the distance could be heard did the mermaid let out a worried grunt.


    “She will be fine, no need to whine.” Yana quipped in response. But she tapped her feet on Eva’s shoulder, unable to completely mask her own worries.


    The mermaid let out a low trill, crossing her arms.


    “I am of course certain! No need to peek behind the curtain.” The fae fluttered upwards, doing a small twirl to assert herself.


    Sigrid let out another whine, though this trill was noticeably longer than the last.


    “I am Yana! The all powerful Yana! I have examined all the possibilities, and looked at the different eventualities! Whatever happens, Aryana will be fine. That is your reassurance of mine.” Yana triumphantly huffed as she finished the last part.


    “So why’s she so worried about Sophie?” Eva asked.


    Yana practically zipped over to Sigrid, completely having forgotten Eva’s presence and being frightened by the noise.


    “Sorry.”


    “Grrr. You didn’t scare me, here’s just the place I wanted to be.” Yana peaked out from behind Sigrid.


    The mermaid tittered a little, earning herself an angry stomp from the fae.


    “Sorry, sorry. I’ll speak softer next time.” Eva apologized before pushing ahead, “But back on topic, do you know why she’s so reluctant? From what it sounds like the bond breaking won’t be the end of the world or anything.”


    Yana fluttered back over, the fae’s face scrunched up in distaste as she wriggled her nose. “Of that I am not sure, perhaps she views it as a cure.”


    “A cure?” Eva arched an eyebrow.


    “To her loneliness. It is a symbol of their bond, yet it is the cause of her pain. A vexing conundrum.” Yana answered curtly.


    “Oh.”


    The mermaid trilled softly in support.


    Eva sighed in relief, prompting the other two to lean in a little closer. Their curiosity piqued at whatever revelation she understood.


    “Then whatever happens, it''s down to her, right? Nothing will come from us worrying. So why don''t we take a small break, eh? We could all use it after today."


    <hr><hr>


    Eva felt the world shake and quickly opened her eyes. Sigrid was nudging her gently and pointed towards the slowly opening door. Eva looked at a nearby clock. God damn, it’s been almost an hour, ugh. Eva massaged her temples, falling asleep on a dwarven stone bench had proven less than comfortable though necessary. Yana lazyily sat atop the mermaid’s head, the two having put their concerns to rest at some point.


    From within the chamber, Aryana stomped forward with a fury in her eyes. The redhead’s normally amiable smile twisted into a ferocious scowl. Though from her demeanor, Eva had the unfortunate realisation that the girl’s anger was directed at no one but herself. I suppose her consultation with the seers have gone poorly.


    “Aryana…” The fae spoke first.


    “I will die.” Aryana stated abruptly, startling even her dwarven escorts.


    “Huh?” Eva spoke her thoughts out loud.


    One of the dwarven seers looked ready to speak when Tharnus tapped his shoulder, motioning for him to let Aryana handle her own issues. Aryana dejectedly turned to look at Eva, the fire in her eyes dying and become little more than a waning flicker.


    “I’ll die.” She whispered softly, before glancing at the others and letting out a chuckle, “Heheh, I’ll die if the spirit leaves me. Eheheheh.” She giggled to herself.


    “Oh. Aryana.” Eva sighed, “If you need-”


    Ignoring her, the girl continued, “The seers said anything that would separate this spirit would take me with it. That I’m stuck. Stuck!” Aryana hissed, “That…” Her lips curled up, her eyes drooping as any rage transitioned to something more somber, “Because I’ve made that bond with Sophie. I mean, I knew that it would kill me eventually but... I’m only alive because of the spirit. After the first time Sophie... I was technically dead already. If it goes or dissipates because of her… I… I go with it.”


    She slumped forward as Eva wrapped her in a small hug alongside Sigird, the two slowly sitting back down with her in between them.


    “Sorry, Aryana.” Eva whispered, uncertain of how to respond to this information.


    “Yana was right.” Aryana groaned, “I’ll die if she keeps draining me. Pfft.” She snickered, “I’ll die if she stops and the spirit leaves. I”ll die if the Frostfyres take it away. I’ll die if it turns into runes. I’ll die…. I…”


    Sigrid let out a comforting trill, attempting to cheer up the girl with some licks to the cheek that at least brought a small smile out from the distraught redhead. Yana elected to remain quiet, the fae’s disappointment evident from her crossed arms and frown as she settled back atop Aryana’s head. Eva gently rubbed the redhead’s back lost on how she should even comfort the girl.


    “I… I love her. I don’t… I… maybe i thought… maybe we could both live freely, without worries. Because I know she''s holding back, being more cautious, more careful. But…” She let out another heavy breath, though noticeably calmer than mere seconds ago, “But I don’t want her to be held back because of me. I don’t want her to give up on an adventure or challenge because she’s worried. And I… I… I don’t want my people chasing after me because of the spirit. I wish it too, were free to be as it wished.” She finally leaned back into the two around her, some tension and strength returning to her body.


    “You’re very kind, Aryana.”


    Aryana glanced over with a tired smile, the redhead nodded at Eva. “Heh. It’s not that.”


    “Hmm?”


    “Back then… when it first happened. I didn’t think much of it. Even now I still don’t know how to feel. But…” She looked around her, at both Sigrid and Eva, then up at Yana, who got the messaged and peaked over the girl’s hair to look back at her. “After seeing everything, getting to know everyone and with the promise of more to come…”


    Aryana looked almost wistful for a moment, “I don’t want to die anymore. I want to see the world. Be around friends. Do more things.” She sniffled. “But the seers said that the spirit’s already been weakened aplenty. It’s why I’m getting more frail.”


    “I told you before, but you thought me a bore. It’s best to rid this link, before it made you sink.” Yana mumbled.


    “I know. Sorry, Yana.”


    “No apologies are needed, as long as you can still function.” Yana didn’t bother to rhyme, “I shall remain by your side. If you don’t mind.”


    Ary sniffled some more, a goofy grin on her face. “Of course I don’t mind. And that goes for you as well, Sigrid.” The girl nuzzled the mermaid, much to Sigrid’s delight, “And you as well, Lady Eva, that is if you don’t mind.”


    “Why would I mind either?” Eva chuckled, relieved that the redhead recovered so quickly.


    “Ah!” Aryana squeaked as her eyes brushed past Eva and wandered over the dwarven clock, “The time! Why didn’t you… the others must be worried about us! And we haven’t heard anything from them either! We should-”


    “I’m glad ye feeling a little less gloomy miss. Though I doubt any of the seer’s words were of much comfort.” Tharnus interrupted, “Rest a little longer round ‘ere, aye? Karz left me instructions to have ye meeting round the Adventurers Guild after yer done here. Get ye bearings straight and then we’ll move, miss. So dinnae worry, we’ll get reacquainted with yer people soon enough.”


    Aryana wanted to protest but Eva simply pat the girl’s shoulder, making her nod.


    “Thank you master dwarf. We’ll spend a few minutes to get our bearings and then we’ll appreciate all the help we can get.”


    “‘Course, miss. We’ll have ye back on the surface in no time.” The dwarf clapped Aryana’s shoulder as well, offering support with a bit too much strength. But the gesture was appreciated nonetheless, seeing as the redhead offered a faint smile.


    Eva offered her own thanks as she dipped her head respectfully at the dwarves as they left the room. Gods above we all could use some good news today, for a change.