Chapter Six Hundred And Twenty Two – 622

Chapter Six Hundred And Twenty Two – 622

Exploration is level 76!

Utilizing Abyssal Skein, the group of them was able to skirt the edges of the dark lake and steal up onto the grounds of Havenhold with little issue. There were some Dwarves wandering a few of the gardens nearer the lake, but they were few and most were awfullypreoccupied with one another. They were easy to evade.

Once they reached Havenhold proper they came upon open verandas filled with stout furniture, an elaborate wet bar, and a crackling fire pit in the shape of a pair of cupped, blocky handsall of it beneath a long stone roof carved out so that the negative spaces resembled a star filled sky. The terrace extended across a substantial section of the palace, overlooking a statue garden interspersed with exotic plants that shimmered with visible Mana vapor. Dwarven nobles lounged upon the furniture, drinking from goblets that burned, crackled, and smoked in equal measure. Lively, relaxed conversation rang out, the Highbloods laughing as they relaxed, as if they hadnt a care in the world.

None noticed their party, though Felix walked fairly close to the retaining wall holding the nearest portion of the veranda up. A noble even looked directly at him, but seemed to see nothing but a grassy knoll.

Yintarion flew down from the lip of the veranda. I see ten Dwarves and beyond them a series of glass doors leading inside this mansion. There are many more within, including a number of other mortal servants and armored soldiers.

Evie scowled. So no going through the palaceunless the killin thing is back on the table?

It isnt. Felix studied what he could through his Perception stat, marking the position of the nobles. Several of them carried things that sparked across his awareness. Enchanted items, no doubt, though he couldnt tell what they were from his blind vantage. His Hunger rumbled regardless. Why are they all justhanging out?

It is the pleasure palace, Tzfell said, as if that were explanation enough. When she saw Felixs annoyed stare, she kept talking. The Havenhold was once the seat of our kingbut that ended long ago. Now it is home to the Highblood Clan families that hold the greatest sway over the Dwarven Holds. Within are all the pleasures mortal Minds can conceive, or so it is said, and some Highbloods never leave except for their most pressing duties.

Oh. Ew, Felix said.

Indeed.

What of the nobility we spoke to at the Hinterlords gala? Vess asked.

Lesser branches of the High Clans. They take up the responsibilities so that the real powers can govern from within this place.

My sympathy for the nobility is dwindling by the second, Felix said.

I see a path we may take, Yintarion said. His eyes shimmered bright gold, reminding Felix briefly of Imaras. If we can move past these few and the glass doors, the roof would be ours.

Perfect. Be ready to rush on my signal. Felix lifted his hand and activated one of his newest Skills. Quiet Cacophony.

A strange, buzzing puff of power poured from Felixs mouth. It condensed as it flew, unerring to a point within his Perception, before it splashed down like a geyser between the nobles. To Felix, it felt like his Will was suddenly inundated by ten separate forces, each pushing against him unconsciously. The Highbloods fought back, their Minds trying to reject the effects of his Skillbut Felixs Will was beyond theirs, and his Intent could not be denied.

Dwarven Highblood (x10) Have Been Affected By Disorientation!

Dwarven Highblood (x10) Have Been Affected By Disquiet!Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.

Dwarven Highblood (x10) Have Been Affected By Disgust!

Quiet Cacophony is level 2!



Quiet Cacophony is level 34!

Apprentice Tier!

You Gain:

+5% INE

+5% ALA+5% WIL

What was that? one shouted.

Watch it!

Did you spill Thacarin red on my husbands coat? You absolute fool! That stain will never come out!

I did not! I was standing here, and my wine is white!

Who else?

The mild argument escalated quickly, and Vess shot Felix a look of surprise as actual fighting broke out among the Highbloods. He could only shrug.

Good Skill, Harn grunted.

Yintarion floated back up. I believe theyre adequately distracted.

What the lizard said, Evie agreed. Time to run?

More.

Felix pulled harder, forging his Intent into a funnel through which the barriers magic could flow. It surged into him, so many Mana types that it would burst a normal man. Or several normal men. The magic went wild, fire and wind and lightning burning through him while earth, ice, and shadow tried to freeze and crush.

No. Quiet.

Instantly, the power was leashed. It fell, pulled by an inexorable grip into the swirling dark beneath Felixs core space. Ahead, a narrow section of the mountain ward flickeredand failed.

Now! Felix commanded.

Evie, Vess, Harn took the lead, followed closely by Tzfell and Laur with Beef and Hallow taking up the rear. Pit lingered at his side, but even he was sent running when Felix nudged him. He shifted to tenku form to catch up to the others.

Felix followed, one slow step after another.

The wards tried to close their tiny breach again and again, each time the mountain sending entire rivers of Mana against him. Felix and his Hunger roared as he walked, their maw opened wide, letting the power spiral into them without friction or fear. The last part was hard. So hard.

Felixs friends were almost through. He didnt even breathethere wasnt the space for it. He just had to eat and walk. Step by step.

The palace shook again, and the roof cracked. Somewhere, screams echoed into the false daylightand Felix stumbled.

The ward swelled, as if the storm above could sense his weakness. It fell upon him like a tidal wave.

Pit! Run!

His Companion was barely halfway across the roof when the warding fell atop of him. He squawked in alarm and in a swirl of color became far, far smaller. The threads of discordant power surged through where his Body once resided, but even a Dire Hound pup was too tall. Pit froze, his bright eyes wide.

Convergence! Felix gasped, leaping forward. The roof buckled beneath him, shattering into a spiraling pattern of debris as he launched ahead horizontally. Chthonic Tribute!

Etheric Concordance is level 85!

Manasight is level 92!

Pit vanished into light that settled in Felixs Spirit moments before the wards slammed downand then Felix whipped by with his fangs bared and the world bent around his howling maw.

Rivers of Mana flowed into him. Lakes of it, as the storm thundered above. His friends had vanished at some point, but Felix couldnt sense them. Could barely see through the riot of color, heat, and chaos. Dissonance buzzed against him, soaring for a brief, terrifying moment.

Chthonic Tribute!

Felix redoubled his Will and Intent upon the Skill just as a lightning bolt hundreds of feet wide came crashing down upon Havenhold. Felix took it in, but like drinking straight from a firehouse, it overwhelmed his Hunger. Lightning spilled outward, into his Body, his Mind, and his Spirit.

Within him, Pit shrieked.

The world went white. Time ceased to have meaning, and for an interminable Age, Felix floated amid a sea of horrendous sensation. There was a soundless howling, like of a great and terrible beast, but it was sourceless. Felix simply wasuntil he was no longer.

A rush of brutal cold broke apart that pallidity, streaking his reality with deep blues and striations of cold green. Felix woke up surrounded by the long roots of some underwater plant, tangled about himself tighter than ropes or chains. Blinking rapidly, Felix ripped free before kicking his legs and hurtling to the surface of a small pond.

An army of bright purple frogs fled from his mighty waves, leaping across oversized lily pads and announcing their displeasure with tiny, sonic attacks. Felix growled, and every single frog went silentas did the Dwarven nobles who surrounded the pond.

Warning! Your Health Has Dropped Down To Ten Percent Of Maximum!Seek Healing Immediately!

Chthonic Tribute is level 99!

Armored Skin is level 96!

The Song of Absolution is level 98!

Sovereign of Flesh is level 97!

Who are you? one of them demanded. He had a forked beard the color of slate and wore a shirt made entirely of faceted ruby. Imposing, but he was no more than Adept Tier. Your name and advancement, brute, or in the name of the Uncrowned King I shall slay you here and now.

Felix! Beef shouted. He and the others were beyond the pond, where the rolling hills of the Undermount gave way to steep cliffs. Cmon!

Felix? someone said. Their doublet was made of sapphires. Nevarre?

I know of no others, said a woman wearing a gown of opal.

The claimant of Nagast.

Great. Felix said nothing, but flared his Agility as he kicked off the ground. He was gone before the Highbloods could blink.