Unbound

Chapter Six Hundred And Fifty Five – 655

Aw man, Im stuck. Chitin groaned, buckling under the weight of Pits huge new Body. Whyd they make these doors so narrow?

Felix shrugged. I told you. Want me to break it?

Ah, hold on! I made that when you were a LOT smaller, Beef said, lifting his hands. Brown-green Mana flowed from his palms and into the hut. It softened and shifted, folding over itself until the doorway was big enough for Pit to squeeze through.

He stepped out and stretched. Four wings shot out for the first time, unveiling their absolutely massive size. It was like a shadow had crossed over the three moons in the sky, darkening the camp and all the people in it.

Shit. Youre a tank, Beef said, eyes wide and mouth open. Your wingspans gotta be like fifty feet.

They are beautiful, Vess said. Those colors running through your plumage are so vivid.

Evie crouched low to inspect Pits feet. Look at those paws! You look like you could take on a whole army by yourself.

Pit preened under the attention and Felix indulged in a proud smile. Hed worked hard for that Evolution and earned every bit of his reward.

Felix walked over to Laur and Tzfell, who were standing further back than the others. Chanters.

Autarch. Im glad to see youre feeling much better now.

Mhm. Finally got a weight off my chest. Felix noticed that many of their injuries were gone or significantly smaller. How long was I out?

Two days, Laur said.

Felix ran his hand through his hair. No sign of pursuit?

From the Master Tier monsters, the Dwarves, or the armies of the Pathless? Tzfell asked.

Surprise me.

No signs on any front. Yintarion and Evie have been regularly scouting the area, and Chanter Laurs wards have kept us hidden. We are safe.

Felix grunted. For now. Personally Ill feel better when we get moving. A glimmer of gold caught Felixs eye as Yin flew by, straight toward Pit.

You have grown mighty, young one. Yintarion swam through the air, his long golden body undulating as if through water. He eyed Pit up and down, lingering on his wings. A powerful Body to suit a powerful new Evolution. What is it called?

Pit pushed out his chest. Primordial Storm Tyrant.

Primordial, of course. You and your Companion both carry their lineage. Tyrant, though, is not a term I have heard since losing my kin. I once knew a Dragon that had taken an Evolution to become a Flame Tyrant. She was incredibly powerful.

Wait til you see what I can do.

Oh?

Watch this. Mantle of the Stormlord! Pits huge body was once again covered in that swirling blue-green light, but now it arced dangerously between his spread wings. Felix was surprised to find that the flicker of it was soothing to him; like white noise, or whale sounds. Pit waggled his feathered brows, his crest rising. Eh? What do ya think?

Evie applauded and Vess smiled wide. Even Yintarion gave an appreciative growl.

Thats so cool! Beef said. Can I touch it?

Beef, stop! Hallow warned him, seconds before Felix could. The Homunculus unwrapped from Beefs chest to stare at the Minotaur. Dont touch the glowing Chimera.

That soundugh. Archie held his head, pressing his fingers to his temples. Just looking at it is giving me a headache.

Felix hadnt even noticed the small mans approach. Or had he been there the whole time?

Hes sheathed in water, air, ice, and lightning Mana. Maybe others. Not touching him when he has his Mantle on is a smart move, Felix explained. Cut if off for now, bud.

Aw. Pits shoulders slumped, but he listened.

The glow vanished, but so did the ephemeral sense of comfort Felix had felt. Strange.

So are you this big all the time? Evie asked. She poked at his bushy tail. I mean, youre so soft, but I dunno that youre gonna fit around our campfire.

Hah! Easy fix, Pit said, voice warbling in genuine amusement. I just gottaOh. Oh no, Felix. My barding is gone!

Before Pit could panic though, Vess cleared her throat. We have it, Pit. We took it off of you after you emerged from Felixs Spirit. It wassmoking.

She gestured to a pile near the glowing boulder that was the Superior Elementals core. Pit shuffled closer, dragging bits of the armor out. Its broken. That thing was Master Tier.

Im surprised it lasted so long against the things we fight, Felix admitted. He pulled the pieces of barding apart, separating them into sections. The helmet had split and the leg armor was almost completely blackened as if from an intense heat. It had been crafted of the same metal the Archon had used to forge his mightiest servants, but Felix supposed it couldnt have lasted forever. The Archon certainly hadnt.

Your new Evolution should be armor enough for now, Vess said. Once we have reached Scalebreaker Citadel, I can have new arms and armor made for all of us.

Pit gave a whistling sigh. I just feel a little naked without it.

Felix pulled a chunk of the breastplate free of the pile and dusted it off. The straps were still fixed properly and the central portion had retained its shape. That was the part that bore a glyph molded into the center: three separate sigilsfire, eye, and lightningdeformed and altered to depict the image of a burning eye and surmounted by a nine-pronged crown. In the center of the eye, where the pupil would be, was a blue-green stone the size of Felixs thumbnail. Aha. This part is still good. Cmere buddy.

Pit knelt down, folding his legs beneath his bulk, as Felix got to work looping leather straps and buckles across neck and chest. Once tightened, the half-breastplate stood out against the black and russet red of his fur and feathers, a slightly charred silver and the gemstone.

The Stone of Alloyed Refrain. It granted several benefits, including upgrading any weapon or armor to Master Tier. It also allowed Pit to Mask himself as a Dire Hound puppy. Hopefully this will be enough. Try it out.

Pit closed his enormous eyes and concentrated. There was a slightly spark from the armor, but then everything folded in on itself. Light bloomed, not from the process but from the sudden lack of Chimera blocking the moons. In his place, a Dire Hound puppy sat with a happy grin on his face.

It worked! Pit cheered, and immediately ran off toward the food. And Im still hungry. Got any leftovers?The others moved away, chatting among themselves and settling back into their places around the campfire. The remains of two other beasts theyd caught and cooked still hung on spits, set off from the fire so they didnt burn, and Pit sat impatiently next to them while Beef carved off several thick slices. Evie told Vess a joke that made the woman laugh, and Yin flew off her shoulder to alight back on his core.

Felix hung back, watching them all. With Pit finally through his Evolution, he felt something sort of like peace seep into his soul. He breathed deep, tasting spice and woodsmoke. Listened to the relieved laughter of his friendsand the slight grinding of stone on stone.

Eidolons, he said into the night.

Lord Colossus, the four Eidolons said in near-unison. The web of sigaldry on their chests glowed brightly in the dark.

Eagin stepped around one of the thick trees at the edge of their clearing. My Lord. You are unharmed from your ordeal?

More or less. It was a bit harder on Pit, though.

He seems to have emerged stronger.

Felix grinned. Thats what we do.

I see. Do you have instructions for us, my Lord?

Whno. Just enjoy yourselves, I guess. Relax. Ill keep an eye on the camp tonight.

Eagin traded looks with Orun and the others. It was hard to read their stony expressions, their faces carved from immobile rock, but their Spirits hummed a curious tune. As you wish, Lord Colossus.

Felix walked the circumference of their little camp site, keeping his Perception spread in order to spot any threats coming at them from the night. They had traveled a ways down the mountain at some point, but Felix didnt have a good reference for how far theyd made it while lugging him and Pit. He guessed it wasnt far at all.

The distance still showed him several other peaks of the Rimefang Mountains, and if he strained himself he could make out clumps of trees in the low valleys and foothills beyond. Mostly he was concerned with the sky; if there were monsters about, theyd likely be flying beasts.

He saw nothing but wind and rustling pines.

What he did find was Archie, sitting atop a large boulder, watching everyone else. His arm was back in a sling and his face was covered in bruises, but his injuries didnt stop him from tumbling a dagger across the knuckles of his good hand.

I didnt get a chance to thank you before, Felix said, causing the Delven to nearly drop his knife.

Christ, Felix, he said, clutching at his chest. That turned into a pained wince as the movement pulled at his shoulder. Someone your size shouldnt move so quiet. Maybe start wearing a bell.

And miss out on all the great reactions?

Ha-ha. Yes. Archie fixed his jacket needlessly, straightening the collar. Thank you for what?

Hm? Oh, for keeping the Dire Bethir off me. Vess told me what you did. Jumping on a monster that strong was very dumb and very brave. So, thank you.

Archie fiddled with the brass buttons on his coat. Youre ah, youre welcome. I guess.

Felix frowned, staring at the guys bandaged shoulder. A faint golden glow pulsed from beneath. That still hurts right?

My wound from that bitchs knife? It does. I mean, its not anything I cant handle, but your Dwarf friend cant heal it. Archie shrugged, his attempt at nonchalance ruined by a grimace of pain. Just living with it now.

Maybe I can fix that, Felix said. You mind?

Archie watched him nervously as Felix dragged his claw across Archies bandage. The dressing split, cut easily by his talons, and revealed an inflamed wound covered in glowing lines of golden light. A magical infection. Same as Harn.

Uh, whatre you gonna do?

I should be able to take away the Pathless influence. Those lines of gold, there. Hopefully itll let it heal normally after that.

In that case, go ahead. I havent been able to get a good nights sleep since that fight.

Hunger? You up for eating some Pathless magic?

Yes.

Chthonic Tribute!

Since digesting the Superior Elementals power, Hungers capacity had returned with a vengeance. Shed proven that in Pits core space. Avet couldnt stop them from eating pieces of his power, and neither would the Coward in White.

A stubborn Will opposed Felix for a moment, but he tore right through it before it could muster up a significant challenge. The golden light in Archies flesh streamed out of him, spiraling into Felixs open mouth and vanishing. It was over in seconds, and the Delven thief was left with a simple, half-healed wound without a trace of inflammation.

Whoa. You ate it. Archie tested his arm. He winced, but seemed to be surprised. It barely hurts at all. You did it.

I did. Looks like without the Pathless influence, your wound is gonna heal up just finebut you should go talk to Tzfell, just to be sure.

Not a bad idea, Archie begrudgingly agreed. Though I gotta admit, Im not a fan of Dwarves after all my time here. Buncha backstabbin cheats.

Tzfell is trustworthy.

Thats what everyone says, before theyre betrayed.

With a faint buzzing sound, Archie fell through the boulder and emerged down at ground level. Offering Felix a cocky smirk, he waltzed off, heading toward the Chanters.

Mm. Delicious.

Save room for dessert. He flared his Perception, flagging the location of all his friends until he found the one he was looking for. He was asleep, bundled up in a separate chitin hut of his own. Weve got one more task tonight.