Unbound

Chapter Five Hundred And Ninety Four – 594

Felix sat on the edge of a balcony and marveled at the sky.

Liquid gold filled the vault of it, from horizon to horizon, like a lava lamp or one of those weird squishy toys you could buy at the gas station. It looked like oil and smoke, swirling clouds of it all backlit by some enormous, never-ceasing sun. More immediately overhead, the sky was festooned with rolling ribbons of glacial-colored light, auroras that spread from the Kingsrock like banners. The wards that kept people from ascending the Kingsrock had dimmed, but only by Felixs own command. Separated into this strange, liminal space, there wasnt a single threat that worried him outside of the massive structure. Not even the tribes of Frost Giants that had opposed his claimingafter all, hed let them all in.

His followers hadnt much liked that.

Two whole days had passed since hed claimed the Seat and Seal of Khalheim. Felix hadnt been expecting to stay so long, but it had been necessary for several reasons. Putting aside the issues with the Risi, Felix had to assess the condition of his newest Stronghold. It was Rank II, the same as Elderthrone when hed revived it. Many of its features had decayed over the Ages, in addition to whatever the Dwarves had done, but it had several special features that were unique to it.

First was the underground forest beneath the golden earth. It sat at the very roots of the Kingsrock, flourishing in massive subterranean caves and it absolutely teemed with life. Since the claiming, the Kingsrock was like a piece of Felixs body, and he could feel the creatures moving about down there without even focusing on it. If he did, Felix could investigate every square inch of those caverns. Powerful creatures resided in those trees, not as strong as the Greater Elementals out in the Starfield Step, but they would prove excellent for food and training fodder if the Risi treated them properly.

The second feature was part of the first: a wide, underground river sprouted within the forested caverns, filled with fish, monsters, and the coldest water Felix had ever experienced. Even atop the highest tower, he shivered as his thoughts returned to the moment hed pressed his newly gained awareness into that water. It was only his Mind, but it had felt like his entire body was numb, burning, and turning into solid ice all at once. The river seemed to come from the Corporeal Realm through boundary stones, and it returned the same way. The stretch of it beneath the Kingsrock was like a minor diversion of its natural course, and it fed the beasts of the forest well, acting as an important part of its complex ecosystem.

Third was the elaborate formation that kept the Kingsrock within the Starfield Step. Felix had learned upon gaining Authority over Khalheim that the strange rock palace was not originally beneath the golden skies and shifting glaciers. The Starfield Step was in fact a liminal space much like a Domain or the Dark Passages, suspended between Realms like a soap bubble clinging to the side of a wet dish. The boundary stones played a part in that, acting as the delineation between the Starfield Step and the Corporeal Realm. There was a mechanism to shift the Kingsrock back into the Hoarfrost, and it was fully functional. If Felix wanted, they could instantly appear within the snow fields of the northern tundrabut there was no reason to do that, really.

The very last thing Felix had found while scouring the Stronghold, was a small shrine of sorts, built into a hidden chamber adjoining the throne room. Being hidden, it had escaped the ravages of the Dwarven invaders, and it was well that it had. The room wasnt huge by giant standards, and its angled walls were shaped into a nine-pointed star and decorated with carvings of vines, leaves, and a myriad of small beasts. In an alcove at the rearmost wall, a cold obelisk stood, made of mingled metal and stone and coated with ice. It resembled Beefs new greathammer, in fact, though it was inscribed with several giantfolk glyphs.

Frostfather, they said.

The moment Felix touched it, a spark had welled up within the obelisk, and a voice boomed into the space. You have claimed Khalheim, I see.

I have. Felix had looked around the star-shaped room. How are you talking to me through this thing?

Anointed ice carries a piece of elemental power, and I am the Frostfather.

Meaning your power connects through the ice, like a receiver.

Isuppose. The mountain-sized Supreme Elemental had rumbled a sense of approval through the obelisk. Your power is great, Colossus. If you allow me, I can imbue my own potency into the Kingsrock, as I did in ancient Ages. Together, we will lift my children from the depths they have sunk into.

How exactly does that help me?

A notification had appeared before Felix. My power will be made manifest throughout the Kingsrock, and it will bind the Kin to you all the tighter. All in Khalheim that swear fealty to your Seat and Seal will receive one of two Titles: Might of the Colossus or Magic of the Colossus.

Felix had whistled when he read the descriptions. These are impressive Titles.

My presence will also influence the potency of the creatures in the caverns below the Kingsrock. A portal into my Ironskin Domain will open, and I shall continue to offer Quests to my children as I have for Ages, allowing them to grow stronger, faster.

Thatsquite a bit, but I know theres no such thing as a free lunch. How does all this help you?

I will be happy to aid my children, but more than thatI am old, Felix Nevarre. I have seen civilizations vanish into the cold expanse of time, and it leaves me hollow. The Nym might be gone, but the Kin still live. The Unbroken Shield rises once more. There is hope, thanks to you.

Felix hadnt explained to the Frostfather that he was technically Nymean; explaining his Primordial and Nymean natures was too involved to just casually toss out there. Still, the benefits on offer were potent, and Felix had no reason not to trust the Supreme Elemental. He had agreed, and the obelisk had crackled with icy Mana before spreading outward through the star-shaped room, until the entirety of the floor and walls was coated in a thin line of spiraling frost.

Sitting atop of the balcony and overlooking his new Stronghold, Felix was happy he had said yes. He could feel the Frostfathers influence, now, but it certainly wasnt overwhelming. Just as he had promised, his potency was mostly gathered in the caverns below the Stronghold, and Felixs new senses could even pick out the strains of ice, stone, and metal Mana that had begun influencing the beasts below. It would, in time, prove to be an excellent resource for the giants. Perhaps some proper elementals would spawn within the caverns, even outside the Frostfathers shifted Domain.

Just outside the immediate area, the Starfield Step shifted and crashed silently. During the time it had taken Felix to comb through the Kingsrock and its functions, his team had gone hunting elementals for practice and profit. Beef had spent much of it training with his new hammer, Bedlam, and though it was still a touch too heavy for him he was making progress. The Claw was there too, drilling their forms and large scale combat coordination under the watchful eye of Harn. They had hunted the outskirts, luring monsters from the Step without risking too much of the shifting terrain.

Felix had considered stopping the heaving glaciersit was within his abilities as Colossusbut doing so would trigger the Kingsrocks return to the Hoarfrost. The dangers of the Starfield Step were part and parcel of the defensive Realm-shift, after all. He didnt have any interest in removing Kingsrock from its protectionsin fact, he was counting on themso his friends had been forced to make do with the dangerous terrain.

That hadnt stopped Vess, Yintarion, and Evie, however. Those three had pressed deeply into the Step, this time far more agile than a team of sleds and a few hundred Risi. Yintarion had loudly requested to eat several of the Greater Elementals in the Step, and Vess was nothing if not accommodating to her Companion, quickly hunting down a Greater Cinderwing and Greater Gold Obelons. Early on the first day, the Wyrmling had tucked into his impressively sized meal. Last Felix had heard, he was still in a food coma.

Vess and Evie had continued, training their Skills and pushing themselves as much as possible as they navigated the hazardous terrain. Pit had even joined them, much to Felixs dismay, pressing himself just as much as they had. He took it upon himself to keep them safe from the various swarms and unexpected traps they encountered, which allowed him to train his Perception and Agility as he raced collapsing glaciers and exploding pathways.

It was treacherous in the extreme, but Felix couldnt deny the joy it gave his Companion. Besides, he could trust Vess and Evie to keep an eye on Pit, just as the Chimera was watching out for them.

Someone far below him shouted angrily. It was met by more voices, a back and forth that sounded less like an argument than a debate. Felix cocked his head, listening. It was the giants, of course. Things were getting more heated down there.

Felix double checked his notifications and screens. He had only just gotten off another call with Karys, and so much had changed back home that he felt like he might be missing something. Apparently claiming a new Territory with a shared border had some additional effect on his Authority back home. Elderthrone had grown, becoming a Rank IV Stronghold and gaining a number of fascinating upgrades.

The Crafting Halls had all gained a boost as the Stronghold produced new, higher quality tools from nothing and installed them. This increased their ability to work with higher Tier materials, not to mention the flat bonuses to production and 10% chance of each finished piece jumping up an entire Tier in quality. It was huge, and Karys had been rightly excited to talk over the details.

His Storage Facility had grown, increasing its capacity by a huge amount and even combining with his Strongholds Garden feature. This allowed them to grow and store more easily accessible foodstuffs, things that they could easily pass onto their populace and his other Territories. An increase in stable storage was also implemented, increasing their capacity to hold and preserve magical items like alchemical potions, array slabs, and draughts without losing any potency.

Of course, he couldnt ignore the upgrades to his Beacons, which were used to access his Storage Facility. Now he could place not only Primary Beacons, which had additional access to his new Emporium feature, but also Secondary Beacons that functioned simply as the old Beacons had, allowing authorized people to transport and extract items from his Storage. That was a neat new addition, and something Karys was over the moon aboutFelix was much more interested in the brand new feature that had dropped.

Librarium Has Been Added To Elderthrone!

Librarium - Written records can be placed into any Beacon and a copy of those records will be stored within the halls of the Librarium. These copies can be accessed by anyone with access to a Beacon, extracting a physical reproduction whenever they pull out said copies, allowing for the quick dissemination of information among your Territories. A private function exists as well, meant for valuable or dangerous texts such as Skill Books (which cannot be replicated). Special permission is required to access the private function.

God, thats so cool. Felix had always loved books, and while the shelves of his Librarium were mostly empty, it was an awesome new feature. He had immediately sent word for every text in Elderthrone and Ahkestria to be placed into a Beacon, and if Felix took over any more Territories hed repeat that process.

Knowledge was power.

His Shadowgates had also earned an upgrade, though in their case it had only been a surge of restoration. Pieces that had seemed broken or non functioning had suddenly come back online, art repairing itself and the shadows strengthening. Karys was reasonably certain he could get most of them repaired within a few weeks, though their matching gates still needed to be restored for any of that to matter.

None of that helped him immediately, but in the future the Shadowgates would save him so much time. As much as traveling to the Hoarfrost and claiming it had helped, it was a massive detour on what they needed to do.

Which brought him back to the voices, now in a full-fledged fight.

Alright. Been putting this off long enough.

Felix pushed off the balcony and into the open air. He fell, feet first while the wind whipped around his ears. Below, he could make out the gathering of giants in the courtyard, as well as a circle of Witches violently gesticulating at one another. He flared his Adamant Discord, speeding up just before landing.

He hit the ground in a burst of lightning and thunder that ground their arguments to a halt.

Reluctantly, the Kin took a knee before him. All of them, even that one flying Witch, though she was among the last to do so.

Kimaris was at the fore, and she looked at him with a grin. Colossus. I have gathered the tribes here, as you requested. We have been discussing the role we shall all have in the governance of the Kingsrock.

It is the way of our people that the Covens rule over the tribes, Naberius added. We wish for that tradition to continue, my Lord.

You want to cut up the pieces of the Kingsrock, divvying out the meanest portions to the other tribes, the flying Witch protested. Her name was Malva, and she remained kneeling, as all the rest, but her Spirit was heated.

I simply said that the Covens should all have a piece that is equal to their strength, Naberius protested. It is not my fault that you did not ally yourself with the Colossus before his rise.

Shouts met that proclamation, from Witch and Warrior alike. Felix snapped his fingers, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the wide courtyard. I have claimed the Kingsrock, and the entirety of the Hoarfrost as well. Khalheim, the ancient nation once called the Unbroken Shield, is returnedand you are its people. I will not have you folks fighting over dumb shit.

When the giants kept themselves from arguing, Felix continued. I am the Colossus of Khalheim, and I hold ultimate Authority herebut I am not one of you. I also cannot remain here, isolated within the ice fields. I need to appoint a Chancellor, to administer things in my place.

The silence grew fangs, each of the Witches around him almost leaning toward Felix in their eagerness to volunteer. Malva, however, was simply surprised.

You will not reign here? the floating Witch asked.

No. I have other things to handle. My Chancellor will run things in my place, acting as my eyes, ears, and hands. She will retain a measure of Territorial Authority as well. Most importantly, she will be responsible for protecting the Hoarfrost, and all of the people within its borders.

Malva frowned. How? You are mighty, Colossus, but you have already said you shall leave us. How could one of us protect all of the north?

With this, Felix gestured, and a bolt of lightning pulled an icy comet down onto them all. Felix caught it easily, arresting the pull of his power as he did so, and the Razorspine statue gleamed in the afternoon light. Several Witches ceased breathing entirely, first at the show of power and then the presence of the artifact. Feklix had been sure to let the artifacts capabilities slip in casual conversation over the last few days, and it had done as hed hoped. They were primed. This is a Guardian, one that will protect our people from a great deal of threats. I will also provide resources and support from my other Territories. A Beacon has been installed within the Kingsrock, a sort ofdoorway that we can trade goods between locations. I have similar Beacons in all of my cities.

Trade. What could you trade with us that we could not simply take in raids?

Weare to cease all raiding, indefinitely, Kimaris said. It had been part of what Felix had told them, back when hed claimed the Territory, and the tribes around him reacted just as the others had: poorly.

No more raiding, Felix half-shouted over their protests. Silence descended. Not the Dwarves or others outside the Territory, and certainly not amongst yourselves. In fact, I require that all members of all tribes are to relocate here, to the Kingsrock. It has more than enough space, it is protected by the Starfield Steps, and it has the resources to support every single one of you.

What do we do for food? Malva asked.

There are deep caverns beneath us, filled with beasts to hunt and monsters to slay, Kimaris said. And the Frostfather himself has relocated the Ironskin Domain there, for all of us to use and grow stronger.

That was of particular interest to the giants. An excited murmuring rippled among the crowd.

Kimaris, Felix said. The Witchs head snapped toward him, as did many others. Stand beside me.

The Witch swallowed and did so. He put his hand out and she knelt before him so that his palmed hovered somewhere above her heart. I would like to name you Chancellor of Khalheim. It will be a position of power but also responsibility. Do you agree to take on these duties?

Naberius scowled and stepped forward, but Mother Vepar, the old crone, grabbed her by the arm. No one else moved.

Kimaris tried to speak but no words came out the first time. She tried again. Yes, my Lord.

Then rise, Chancellor of Khalheim.

Congratulations!

You Have Chosen A Chancellor Of Your Territory!

Kimaris jerked to her feet as if shed been electrocuted. Felix started, concerned for a moment before he saw what was happening. Power was swirling around the woman, congealing across her chest in great loops visible to his Manasight, all of it pressing into her center. Her core.

She was Evolving.

Kimaris gasped, eyes fixed on a middle distance. My Lord, Ithese notifications

Felix smiled. Choose, Chancellor Kimaris.

She closed her mouth, pressing her lips into a thin, determined line. She reached out and touched her invisible notificationand the moment she did so, her skin began to glow. Several giants shouted, shielding their eyes, as Kimaris grew from nine feet to a bit over thirteen feet tall. Mana swirled, a storm now visible to everyone, centered upon her.

Kimaris reached up, into the storm, and frost flowered across her fingertips and hands, crawling across her arms until it reached her shoulders, where it thickened into a purple-white armor across her back and chest. Icicles like elegant blades sprouted from her back and studded her arms, looking wickedly sharp and twice as deadly. All of it, despite the added bulk, gave her a sleek, agile appearance that was both beautiful, regal, and undeniably deadly.

The storm ended, absorbed fully into Kimaris now. She stood up to her new, full height and the weight of her presence unfurled into the crowd. Naberius, Malva, and even Mother Vepar gasped, while many others looked just about ready to bolt, like a herd of gazelle worriedly watching a lion.

II have attained my next Evolution, Kimaris said. I am a Hex Warden.

You are the Chancellor of Khalheim, Felix reiterated. Kimaris raised a frosted fist to her heart. To the rest of the tribes, Felix raised his voice. And you will also notice a new Title. Read it aloud for me, please.

Kimaris blinked, then put a frost-coated hand up over her open mouth. She read. Magic of the Colossus. A leader is meant to serve their people. By boon of the Frostfather, all Kin sworn to the Colossus of Khalheims service will gain a portion of their Intelligence, Perception, and Willpower. My Lord? I She seemed to navigate through some other windows and her eyes bulged in shock. My stats, theyre

Yeah, Felix laughed. Its a good Title. And there is another, meant for those following more martial paths, called Might of the Colossus. It is the same, except that it applies the boon to your Strength, Endurance, and Vitality instead. Felix met the tribes, eye to eye. All you need to do is swear your fealty to me and to Khalheim.

Huh, he thought. They kneeled a lot quicker this time.