B2 Chapter 174: Camaraderie pt. 1

Power rushed through every facet of his body; the sudden jump in levels bringing with it a heady rush that rolled over him in a wave. Pausing for a moment, he let himself feel the changes, adjusting to the palpable increase in strength.

There was none of the pain, discomfort, or disorientation that he had felt as an unclassed. Supported by the structure of his class, the transition was seamless as his soul adjusted naturally.

He shook the fugue off, and turned his attention back to the spider. His sword still stood proud in its thorax.

Kaius pulled his blade free from the limbless body of the spider, ochre coloured ichor sticking to its surface like treacle as it squelched. As he did, he felt the Blood Song fade, leaving behind a familiar calm satisfaction in its wake.

His pillar Mentis fell silent along with it, the resonance fading. Passing disappointment welled up within him at that, but it was only a momentary thing. He knew, somehow, that the insights that had come with battle were not meant to enshrine the pillar in truth. They were a seed. To be contemplated and nurtured in quiet pondering, just like Ekum had said.

There would be plenty of time in the future to think on his insight.

Flicking his wrist to clear the worst of the muck, he bent down to wipe the rest free on a clean section of the spider’s hairy exterior, before he rose and slid it home in its sheath.

Porkchop approached him, jade plate armour vanishing off his body with a subtle pop. His thick leather under-armour was soaked with blood and vital fluid, slowly closing holes dotting its surface.

It didn’t stop Porkchop from rubbing his head against his.

“Gross!” he cried, shoving his brother off of him as Porkchop’s sodden fur stuck to his cheek and caused the hairs on his neck to stand on end.

Snickering at the move, Porkchop backed off. “Come on, Ianmus looks like he’s about to pass out.” he pushed across their bond, before turning to walk in the direction of their resident mage.

Kaius looked back, ignoring the way his scale armour gummed up with all the ichor in its joints.

Ianmus was standing there, pale and leaning heavily on his staff. His eyes were glassy, staring into the mid-space as his jaw flapped soundlessly.

Smiling at the sight of his friend’s shock, he jogged after his brother, quickly catching up. He knew that feeling, the sense that the entire world had crumbled around you. The heavy weight of the impossibility that you were now part of history.

“Well, at least we know for sure that he got the honour too.” he pushed along their bond.

Porkchop chortled next to him, shaking his head in amusement. “Well, for all we know he got hit by some of that poison and is slowly dissolving from the inside out.”

Smiling at the joke, he still smacked Porkchop on the shoulder for the poor taste.

Approaching quickly, they came to a slow stop a few strides from the mage. Still frozen, he stared into space. No doubt trying to digest the system notification in front of him.

Kaius cleared his throat. “So. Job done?” he said slowly, unsure of how else to break the tension of the moment.

Ianmus blinked, eyes clearing before his head lurched towards his own. Red rimmed wild eyes bored into his own, filled with exaltation, confusion, and a little madness.

“Kaius..I…What?” he stammered.

Kaius just gave him an easy grin. “Told you we could do it.” he replied.

Blinking slowly for what must have been the tenth time, Ianmus shook his head and looked at him with slowly widening eyes.

“You knew.” he stated, words wooden and jaw slackening.

“We knew.” Porkchop replied.

“Mostly, not if this would actually get us one. But in the general sense, yes, we knew.” Kaius continued.

Standing rooted to the spot, Ianmus seemed to freeze as he processed the information. Kaius waited patiently. He knew there would be questions, and many of them, but it would take time for the half-elf to digest what had just happened. He himself had sat stunned for what must have been most of an hour after he had eaten that fruit.

Suddenly Ianmus lurched into motion, racing towards them as a manic laugh slipped from his lips. Throwing a lanky arm around each of their necks he pulled them into a strong hug, uncaring of the gore and ichor that coated both of them.

“You demented bastards! You knew! You already knew! That’s how you’re so strong. Any dynasty that knew of this must have a potent legacy; you’ve got to have an Unusual—no, Unique class!” he howled, embracing them before he pulled back. “I haven’t even had the chance to check what it does, but it must be!”

Kaius smiled at the man. They really had him now. Had bound him to their cause in truth. He could hear it. The fervent need for more, the burning desire to strive forwards.

Friends besides, he and Porkchop were the best place that Ianmus would be able to find an opportunity to do that.

“I must know more, please. This is the kind of discovery that makes the life of a scholar like myself.” Ianmus continued, calming as the shock of the moment slowly passed.

Kaius clapped the man on the shoulder. “And you will have it. With a shared secret of this magnitude, how could I not trust you? I just have to ask you one thing.”

Refined features hardened as Ianmus’s eyes steeled with conviction. “Anything.” he said with a nod.

“With all of our strength, we came close to death here. Not the closest me and Porkchop have ever gotten, but close. The path we walk requires that level of risk, and we are happy to lay our lives down to reach the summit. Are you?” he asked. It was a serious question. An existence of throwing yourself against death to eke out every scrap of power was one he and his brother had committed themselves to fully, but it was one that was unbearable for most.

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Not everyone found joy in battle like they did, nor did they find the same meaning in a life lived to the fullest. Not in the same sense, at least.

Ianmus laughed, long and loud. Manic and impassioned, he threw his head back as his sweat streaked platinum locks hung limply from his head.

“Kaius, my friend. You could tell me you intended to break the accords and lead a campaign to conquer Vaastivar and I would still follow you to the bitter end.” he stepped forwards, laying a firm grip on his shoulder.