Unbound

There was a pervasive quiet in the woods, broken only by the percussive crunch of snow beneath their boots. Felix and Vess walked, not speaking, between frost-coated ridges and winding, old-growth trees wide as houses. The nervousness he felt had vanished, dwindled beneath the thick silence and replaced by a familiar wonder.

Songbirds chirruped in the branches above, hopping about in tiny flurries of brown and off-white. A long tailed cat skulked between trunks, claws muffled by heavy fur as it stalked a trio of long-tailed rodents. Even the river had its say, hidden now by a tall hill, yet still a soft, sibilant murmur that underlied the greater silence. Felix let himself sink into the orchestra of strange noise, unlike the Grand Harmony or chaotic Dissonance, and yet composed of both. The Green Wilds, he supposed. A tapestry of a thousand—a million—different things, all combined. Interconnected chaos.

“It is beautiful here.”

The sound of Vess’ voice jarred him from his reverie, but Felix only smiled. “It is.”

“I forget, sometimes, that this is the same fog-drenched wilderness we struggled through last year. I think it even smells better than before.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. Atar has been looking into the original illusion array the Geist made, and it was powerful. It affected all the senses, even the Harmonic ones.” Felix sniffed, taking in the empty cold scent of winter, the sharp spice of nearby trees, and the furtive musk of some passing beast. “I can’t imagine how hard it was to move through all that.”

“Mm,” Vess glanced at him. “Harn and Magda were of great help, but I remember so much fear in those days.”

“About the same for me. No illusion for me, but that didn’t make this place any less terrifying.” Felix laughed. “I can barely believe I made it through, back then.”

“Snatched from your home, sent into a deadly environment filled with monsters—it is a wonder you remained sane, let alone rose to the challenge. You are a remarkable man, Felix.”

“I try.” He regretted the words as soon as he said them—had that been too cocky? He certainly didn’t think of himself as remarkable. “Being Unbound has a great deal to do with it, I think.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “You give yourself too little credit. Always have. Beef arrived the same time as you did, faced terrible challenges, and he lags several Tiers behind you even now.”

“Beef is a kid—”

“Thirteen years is five years older than I was when my combat training began.”

“He–wha? Really?” Felix frowned. “You were training to fight at eight years old?”

“Officially. The Dragoons take those as young as four to begin their instruction. My father did not wish that for me, not so early, as I had the myriad lessons of statecraft to learn.” Vess stepped carefully around a protruding root, as graceful as a dancer. “But I snuck out into the training yards every night, from the moment I was strong enough to hold a practice spear.”

Felix whistled. “Damn. That’s intense. And it kinda proves my point: on Earth, we don’t fight. Not like that, anyway. Most people don’t know how to throw a punch, let alone a spear. Beef didn’t, and neither did I.” Flashes of memory rose up in him, of his early days in the Foglands and numerous failures at fighting. He shoved them away. “Both of us just got lucky, and part of that is in being Unbound.”

“It is a boon, I cannot argue against that…but you, Felix, are kind and compassionate.” She flung her arms outward, as if to encompass the forest and beyond. “None of this would have happened if you did not care enough to stand up. You established a kingdom, Felix. You cleansed a curse on an entire Race, faced down ancient terrors, Grandmasters, Primordials, and the gods themselves.” Her hands dropped, clanking as they slapped against her armored hips. “Perhaps some of that was due to luck, and perhaps someone else, in your same position, could have accomplished the same. But would they have chosen to do so, Felix? I have met too many warriors so impressed by the swing of their own blades, that they never question what lies before them…nor what comes after. Perhaps, Felix Nevarre, your strength lies in being you.”

Felix hadn’t a clue what to say to that. Fighting monsters and gods was one thing, but taking a compliment? His brain stalled out, and could only manage two words. “Thank you.”

Vess tucked locks of her hair behind her ear once again. It had fallen out while she had spoken, and her cheeks flushed. “You are very welcome.”

The deep lowing of some creature shook the evening air with a raspy, basso gasp. Ahead of them, the path wound around a hill to reveal the river once again…and a huge moose the size of an extra jumbo elephant. Moss covered its back, brown and faded with the season, with thin tendrils stretched between a set of crystalline antlers bigger than the fish Yintarion was eating.

“Moss-Back Stag,” Felix whispered. The creature was a couple hundred yards out into the water, but its ears twitched toward Felix despite his volume. It lowed again.

“Beautiful,” Vess murmured. “Reminds me of when we first saw them.”

“Right before we fought the Archon, yeah.” Felix grinned at the memory. “Haven’t seen them much since.”

“I’ve read they are pack creatures, but this one seems to be alone.” She clucked her tongue. “It has been attacked.”

Once Vess pointed it out, Felix could easily spot half-healed wounds on the giant moose’s back and legs. What he’d taken as cloudiness on its antlers was likely blood, dried and caked onto the tines. The creatures were peaceful, if territorial, and they had a lot of Health for their level, not to mention excessive Strength. This particular specimen was a Tier III beast, but those categories weren’t always as strict as folks liked to pretend. He had no doubt that a Journeyman Tier who decided to fight a Moss-Back Stag would find themselves overwhelmed in short order.

“Could be a hunter overestimated their abilities, or underestimated the Stag’s,” Vess said.

“Or there’s a strong predator in the area. I’ll tell the Dawnguard about it either way.” Felix added it to his growing list. “It’s isolated here. Let’s leave it be.”

They kept going, following the thin game trail through the forest. When they’d gained an appreciable distance from the creature, and the quiet started to stretch too long, a voice chirped up in his head. This is boring.

I thought you were tired?

I can be both. Oh! Ask about Yin’s evolution. I wanna know.

Felix suppressed a groan, but had to admit his own curiosity. “Vess, how is your bond with Yintarion?

“He mentioned his first evolution. Is that happening soon?” Pit’s first evolution had taken months to occur, but Felix was aware every monster was different. Copse Grubs, for instance, would evolve into Emberflies only after eating the tree they were born inside. The Moss-Back Stag was once smaller before it evolved into its gargantuan size, requiring a ton of food and some sort of mineral they got from the mountains. When Vess shook her head, that only made him more curious. “What does he need?”

“Apart from sufficiently powerful prey, he needs them to reside within the four elemental Mana types. Creatures of earth, air, fire, and water. Light is also important, though finding creatures that are imbued with it is a tough task. According to Yin, that fish only reached the bare minimum of his requirements, and only for water.” She pulled a scroll from a tube at her waist and unrolled it. “This is what he needs apart from the food. He suggested that much of it was available here, in the Foglands.”

Felix took the scroll and gave it a quick scan. “Hm. The Tier III ore is easily obtained now that we control that metal-attuned Domain near the Teeth, and Tier IV wood and stone are stocked up in the Storage Facility. He needs to eat all of that?”

“Apparently. The interplay of the elements is very important to the process, according to Yin. The five Mana types are to be layered together in some fashion unique to Dragons, and that,” she said, pointing at the list. “Will allow him to leave behind his Wyrmling form.” Vess gave a helpless shrug. “He is eager to return to his former might.”

“I would be too,” Felix said, looking at where she pointed. He knew the Wyrmling didn’t have much in the way of Health, Stamina, or Mana. A single, half-hearted strike from Felix could break him, and even Pit outmatched their ancient ally. “Oh. The ‘heart of a Greater Elemental.’ I, uh, I assume that means its core?”

“Yes, but ‘willingly given.’ I am unsure how that is done, but Yin seems less worried about that part than finding one in the first place. I have heard of Elementals, the Inferior and Lesser kind are rare but found around the Continent. A Greater Elemental, however, is not something I have encountered in life or books.”

Felix scratched his chin. “I have, but…well, it’s complicated. I don’t think we can get his core without starting a whole war with the Frost Giants.”

Vess blinked at him. “His?”

“The Frostfather, god of the Risi, is a Greater Elemental. Just found that out today,” Felix said. “And he surrendered to me, so going back and killing him now seems…yeah, I’m not doing it. I won’t say no to having a Dragon in our back pocket, but not like that.”

“Like I said, Felix.” Vess beamed at him, and that dimple came back. “Honor and compassion.”

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, partially to distract from the flush he felt on his cheeks. “Even uh, even if we had a core, I assume he’s not jumping straight from Wyrmling to Dusk Dragon, right?”

Vess laughed. “He wishes, but no. The path is a winding one, and Yin is eager to forge a solid foundation before evolving.”

Makes sense. Just like us. “How’s the training been? Have things started to make more sense with your Dragoon…ness?”

“Yes and no. Yin has devoted much of his time to teaching me the ways of my new Skills, and my proficiency with them has increased by leaps and bounds. He suggests methods that my trainers never had, techniques that I struggle with but I am beginning to see their value. It is…rewarding.”

Felix watched Vess speak, saw the glint in her eyes and the hundred watt smile that she couldn’t suppress. “You look happy.”

She laughed. “I am. We have survived a great deal, and I am moving toward my destiny. How could I not find joy in that?”

“So the plan is to hunt for what Yintarion needs?”

“In a sense. I—I’ll be needing to return to Pax’Vrell.”

Felix stopped walking. “What? Why? Now?”

Vess’ smile dimmed. “Not right this minute. When the thaw comes, I’ll begin the journey back. I need to speak to my father…and the Dragoons. They have knowledge there, archives that might document what really happened all those centuries ago when the Dragoons betrayed the Dusk Dragons. Knowledge that could save the eggs.”

The eggs that you can’t save. Just like Pit. Felix shoved away the thought, but it loomed close, as it had for months. “If the Dragoons betrayed the Dusk Dragons, wouldn’t they have destroyed the evidence?” he asked.

“That is…likely. But I must know. If they can be saved, if the ancient history of my order can be salvaged, then we can become stronger than ever before. Not just me and Yintarion, but all of the Dragoons. Strong enough to shatter the shackles the Hierophant has placed on my home for centuries.” Vess snatched her spear from the air, brandishing it as if she wanted to start right at that moment. “It would mean an ally for you, an entire Territory, free.”

“Well, I can’t argue against that,” he said.

Argue against it! Pit urged.

“I can come with you,” Felix suggested. “Back you up.”

“That is sweet of you, but I must stand before the Dragoons alone.”

“You’ll have Yintarion with you. What’s one or two more?”

Or an army? Pit added.

“He—Well, I suppose you are right.” She released her spear, letting it float on her Skill’s near-invisible cushions of air. “And I suppose I am poor at asking for help. The last time I did so, I followed Isla’s advice and nearly restructured my core space. I was emotional then, afraid of stepping off the Path that has been prepared for me. Yet if I had continued, I would not have bonded with Yin, nor discovered the truth.”

Felix stopped her and put a hand over hers. Her skin was hotter than he expected, and soft. “There’s nothing wrong with being scared. I’m scared all the time.” Vess’ face was a lot closer than he expected too, and her eyes were very dark, save for that ring of gold that glittered in the last of the evening light.

“And now?” she asked. Her fingers laced with his. “Are you scared now?”

Felix swallowed. “Absolutely.”

“You—”

A sword the size of a door slammed into the earth mere feet from them, followed by the exceedingly fast descent of its large wielder. “Lady Dayne! I need you to disc—” He finished standing up and looked at Felix in surprise. “Autarch. I was not told of your return.”

“Hi Darius. I uh, just got back.”

Darius looked at him, at Vess, and at where their hands were clasped. They both let go; Felix to grip his dagger and Vess to fiddle with her hair. The boulder of a man didn’t even blink, but his face settled into something very explicitly impassive. “I am glad to see you here. We have training to catch up on. Are you free tomorrow at dawn?”

“Erm. I am. Sure.” Felix bobbed his head and drummed his fingers on the hilts of his weapons. “Sounds good to me. Sword training is always good.”

You’re saying ‘good’ too much! Pit sent.

“Excellent.” The large warrior turned to Vess and bowed at the waist. “Lady Dayne, I’m in need of your ear, if you’ve the time.”

“I—Of course, Darius,” she said. To his surprise, she took up Felix’s hand again. “Thank you for the walk…and the conversation, Felix.”

“Yeah, totally.”

Something soft and sad flitted across the woman’s gaze, something Felix felt the bare edges of despite the way he stifled his Affinity around her. Disappointment? Or was it something worse?

Say something.

She stepped away, but Felix held onto her hand. Gently.

“Felix?”

“I uh, owe you dinner. How about I make that up to you? Tomorrow?”

The words came out in a rush, but he barely stumbled over them. They hung between them, almost physical for how heavy they felt. Felix met her gaze, and in that moment, he was certain he had met gods less intimidating.

She smiled, and the last crimson bits of sunset filtered down through snow-laden boughs.

“Absolutely.”

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