Unbound

Chapter Five Hundred And Ninety Two - 592

The objects within the Chest sang with power, exciting the storm of Mana that gathered above it. He could have just eaten the accumulated power, but it would only return. Some items simply had that effect on ambient Mana. So he ignored it, squinted through the chaos, and spied three items nestled atop a padded interior.

He lifted the metallic piece first, marveling at how it shifted in size the moment he removed it from the Chest. It looked the size of a coin inside, but it was a touch larger than his palm, and far more beautiful than it originally appeared. The variegated colors of the metal was beautiful, describing a strange pattern atop bronze-like material. The middle of it was decorated with a nine-pointed star, indicative of the Nym, and the rest was made up of three interwoven bars. The bars were broken off on both sides,f segmented, but the piece overall was slightly curved.

It looks like a badge or something. Felix marshaled his Voracious Eye, but another notification interrupted him.

Hidden Quest Discovered!

Restore The Crown!

The Crown of Elysium has been lost since its bearers were faced with Ruin. Pieces of it have been scattered across the Continent, hidden away so that the forces arrayed against the Golden Empire could not destroy them too. By taking the Throne of Khalheim, claiming the Territory of Nagast, and resurrecting Ahkestria and the Leviathan Depths you have proven yourself worthy of bearing the First Fragment. Unite them, Ascendant, and return that which was Lost.

Rewards:+Authority

+Title

+Varies

Another crown? Felix held the object up, marveling again at its strange design before activating his Voracious Eye.

Name: First Fragment (1 of 3)

Type: Artifact

Lore: A piece of the Crown of Elysium, made of Crescian Bronze, and last worn by She Who Was A Thousand, also known as the Herald of the Dawn, and the final Empress of the Nym.

Felix swallowed hard. The Heralds crown The scope of what he was doing hit Felix like a truck and too many emotions tried to cram themselves into his chest all at once. Wonder was most of it though, and Felix had a hard time tearing his eyes away, as if it had its own sort of gravitational pull. It was like his Hunger in that regard, but where his Hunger was a yawning emptiness, the Fragment was incredibly solid. As if, were he to drop it, the shard of metal would punch through the entirety of the Kingsrock. There was a weight to the crown, something far beyond its mass. Its so old and seen so much. I cant imagine the amount of significance thats gathered in this thing.

Like the hooked blade at his hip, the piece of crown had once been worn by the Herald. He had no idea what Elysium was, though hed heard of something called the Elysian Accords from Paxus. Hopefully the team hed sent to Khasma would succeed at their task; it would make getting information from the bodiless Nym far more convenient.

Is that it, though? Just a name and the person who wore it? Surely such a crazy artifact would have more details, like a list of enchantments. Felix pressed harder, trying to squeeze out anything else from the hunk of metal. He failed, however. After a dozen attempts, all he gained was a massive headache and a few levels for his Voracious Eye.

Voracious Eye is level 94!

He reached into the Mithril Chest for the next item. Like the First Fragment, this was also shrunk by the Chests strange magic, appearing to be only the size of a teacup. When removed, however, it expanded until it was two feet tall and many times heavier. Felix tensed, worried he might drop the object, if only because it looked so fragile.

Wow, he whispered. It was a large sculpture of an armored worm, much like the Razorspines they had encountered, and appeared to be carved from a single chunk of ice. Tough ice too, as it felt more like stone than frozen water. The details were incredible, with every scale and spike rendered with exacting precision. It looked almost like it would come to life in his hands.

Voracious Eye!

Name: Boreal Guardian

Type: Artifact

Lore: Territory and their Lords were once one, and this Guardian is that bond made manifest. Just as Risi Witches summon beasts to their aid, this artifact will summon a powerful Tier VI protector from within Khalheims hidden realm. It will only obey the commands of the Colossus of Khalheim or their Chancellor, and it cannot leave the confines of the Territory.

Felix let out a long, appreciative whistle. Tier VI was the monster equivalent of a Master Tier. That could be useful.

The last item looked the size of a hatchet in the Chest, but was by far the largest of the three. Felix grunted as it expanded rapidly to its natural dimensions, but it was more to do with its unexpected length than anything else. A massive, Frost Giant sized hammer, made of what looked like ice, metal, and stone in shades of gray, green, blue, and white. The haft itself was over nine feet long, joined smoothly with the hammer head as if the thing had been made all of a single piece. The head gleamed, a brutal shaping of ice wrapped with bands of metal and stone. Sigils were inscribed across those bands, Nymean ones, along with a large glyph at the very top. It almost looked like a stylized wall being split in half.

The Mithril Chest vanished, and the crackling cloud of Mana began to disperse. Felix didnt pay it any attention.

Voracious Eye!

Name: Bedlam

Type: Weapon (Bludgeoning)

Lore: Designed for the mighty warriors of Khalheim, once such weapons were commonplace among the defenders of the Unbroken Shield. Now, this greathammer is all that remains. Forged by a true Shaper and enchanted by Glyphwitches, it was once meant for a high ranking officer and as such was designed to allow them to lead their forces into battle. Carry it well, warrior.

Disruption VIII - When swung, there is a 45% chance of disrupting a spell or Skill within melee range.

Bludgeon Defense XII - While wielding Bedlam in both hands, you are 70% immune to all forms of blunt force damage.

Look at you. King on his throne, Evie said. The others had crossed the Seal and approached Felix as well, though the giants remained in the back. They were watching him though. Very cautiously.

Its surprisingly comfortable, Felix admitted. He set the hammer down carefully, but still it boomed as the head hit the ground.

The Chest contained just these? A statue, a hammer, anda piece of jewelry? Vess peered at the treasures hed received, no doubt using her own version of Analyze. I can only see the very basics of the hammer and statue, but that metalwork is beyond my Skill.

That is something remarkable, little Dragoon. Yintarion slid out into the open air, undulating toward the First Fragment in Felixs hand. His eyes gleamed, and he smiled. Congratulations, Autarch. It appears you are on your way.

To what? Felix asked.

I suppose that depends on you, the Wyrmling said. That crown has not been seen in a great many Ages. Even when I dwelt among the Dragoons, it was a lost treasure sought after by countless would-be kings. That it has come to you is no coincidence.

Mm. Felix had been hurtling headlong toward leadership for a while now, but this felt different. More important, somehow. Well, lets not celebrate yet. Apparently there are three pieces to this crown.

Its a crown? Beef leaned over, squinting at the bent piece of metal. Congrats?

Can I see? Harn asked. Felix handed it over to him, and the warrior-smith grunted as it touched him. Thats quality workmanship. Theres layers to the forging here that I didnt think were possible. Mind if I study this?

No, go ahead. The more we know, the better. My Voracious Eye cant pull much except some lore from it, and even thats kinda useless.

Anything interestin at least? Evie asked. She had crouched beside the Razorspine sculpture and was eyeing it. Aside from some pretty carvings?

That is a summoning artifact, Tzfell said. She and Laur had lingered over the dimmed Seal, obviously studying its loops and patterns, but now they strode toward Felix with purpose. A powerful one, unless I miss my guess.

Tier VI, yeah, Felix confirmed. Its limited though. Cant use it outside of this Territory.

For such power, I would hope so, Laur said with a shudder. I cannot imagine a thing like that unleashed upon a city.

I can. Evie, who was still crouched next to the artifact, except now she ran her hands almost lovingly over the worm sculpture. Just think of all the redcloaks we could take out with this.

The Elven Chanter opened his mouth, perhaps to protest, but then closed it. He inclined his head toward the girl. That is true.

What about this thing? Thats cool, Beef said from the side. He was hovering near Bedlam, the greathammer.

It is cool, Felix agreed. He pushed the haft of the hammer toward the Minotaur, grinding the head against the polished floor. But Ive got enough weapons.

Whafor me?

Dont think he means it for Evie, kid, Harn said, not even looking up from the Fragment.

Beef curled his furry mitts around the hammer, eyes wide as saucers, and only grunted a little when he took the whole weight. What the crap! This is heavy!

Too heavy for you? Felix asked.

No! No. I got this. The hammer went up onto his wide shoulders in an attempt at a casual carry. Beef grimaced but he stayed upright. Its totally great.

Well train with it. Get you used to the new weight in no time. Harn looked around. We stayin here a while?

Felix nodded. Ill need some time to get everything sorted, but I wanna be gone by noon tomorrow.

Alright. Time enough to do some huntin out in those glaciers.

A grand idea, smith, Yintarion said. I am in need of a few specimens.

Yin. I told you I would hunt for you soon.

Yes yes, I know, Dragoon. But the man is looking to train. Let us kill two armies with one avalanche, yes?

Beef scowled, still caressing his new weapon. Two armies..? You mean like two birds with one stone?

Why would I kill a bird?

Felix snorted and stood, patting Harn on the back as he passed him. Before you lead them on a hunt, lets set up camp here first. I know there are rooms through there, he gestured toward a far off door. Enough for everyone here and then some.

Aye. Ill get on it.

Vess?

Yes?

Walk with me?

The dark-eyed spearmaidens lips turned upward at the corners. Not a smile, but she was pleased. Of course.

Yintarion stayed behind, hovering around Harns shoulders as the rest of the Claw were moved across the throne room. Vess was watching Felix, stealing small glances at him whenever he wasnt looking. She started saying something once or twice, stopped, then settled on, What is your plan?

Housekeeping, mostly. He nodded ahead, where the giants had slowly entered the chamber. The Witches were cautiously exploring the semi-charred room, running hands over broken murals and split columns.

How can I help? she asked.

I dunno. I just, uh, wanted you around?

Vess blushed, but her smile deepened, pressing a dimple into her cheek. Felix grinned.

The Risi Warriors spotted him moments later. Colossus, the first of them said, before they all dropped to a knee.

Of the Witches, Kimaris noticed first, and she too took a knee. Her Battlelord and Warriors did the same, followed closely by the Feldspear Witches. Mother Vepar and the Cold Rock Coven were the last, but they knelt as well.

Colossus, Kimaris said. What would you have of us?

Nothing too taxing. Felix idly scratched his jaw. Dont think youre gonna like it though.

He told them. He was right.