Chapter 17 Teaser

“For the time being, I ain’t the Son of Poseidon,” I told them.

I let that shock settle into everyone for a moment. I could understand their concerns. We had incited the wrath of Kavtha, the water golem deity of C’ula, and we were on a deadly island filled with treasures and unknown mythical beasts. Aside from Liara, I was the other person who gave everyone the confidence to be here. For now, aside from some magic and elemental scrolls, I was just a teen brat in his pirate captain’s outfit.

“You’re without your powers?” My mother asked.

“Aye. And the reason would be that,” I said as I pointed at the table behind them. All eyes laid upon the black and white stone that had taken away my abilities. Maeloson reached out for it and picked it up.

“It’s the stone Maeloson and I found when that creature took two of our members. What’s wrong with it?” Aesteal asked.

I was going to explain, but Liara clearly beat me to it. “Well, it appears to be a moonstone. A well-refined moonstone at that. Though they are small, minuscule even, I sense the divine aura of certain gods and devils within it. One who values their life does not mix these repelling forces casually,” the witch said.

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I stared at the disturbed bushes and grass. Indeed, something had been observing my crew for some time. Whether it was stalking them or merely curious, it had not obviously attacked anyone, but that made me wonder if it would. It was possible that it was the Reaver of Roots, but if that fucker’s on this island then I could only guess what other shit was here. I couldn’t even sense any of the water flowing through the bodies of those around me which meant I had no way of tracking anything else in the forest. Well, aside from tracking magic, but that would require something unique to the individual.

“Take us to that tree that you said you found. We’ll start there. If anyone starts exhibiting those signs that you reported earlier then we’ll detain them. Liara and I will look them over. If it be who I think it is, then I’ll explain while we walk,” I said.

“Yes, sir,” Both replied.

Nz’ia and my mother agreed as well and we finally began to embark through the trees just as we had done yesterday. Maeloson and Aesteal guided us through the dense wilderness of the first Delverhoid island. Just like I had said before, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. The heat was unbearable. The only solace was the shade in the trees, but even those didn’t offer very much. It felt like Helios would burn us alive as we continued walking.

I decided to shed off my captain’s coat and store it away in a scroll meant for those purposes.

“Cazugalima rashavan egdaio fgpulo!” Nz’ia suddenly said lowly as he tightened his grip upon his weapon. Unfortunately, I wasn’t attached to him so I wasn’t exactly sure what he said, but judging by the intense glare on his face, it couldn’t have been good.

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As soon as my boots stepped from the forest and into the open grass, I felt a sudden wave of unease wash over me. I felt an overwhelming sense of bloodlust, unwoven anger, and overwhelming mana. It actually made a bead of sweat fall down the side of my face. Aye, I wondered if my mother would have even survived underneath this pressure before being driven insane.

I stared at the tree. Its beauty was absolutely radiant. Like an oasis in a sandy valley, it could capture the eyes and the desires of those who had found it. Each fruit glistened with water that looked as clear as crystal. Hell, if I had not stayed focused, I too might have been drawn into its embrace.

Each step seemed harder than the last one. Each blink of my eyes was a test to not lose myself. Th’am clearly deserved its title. The pressure aside, I kept my pace until I stood just a few feet from the wide tree in the center of the field. If the trees we had passed before were good quality wood, then this one was excellent. The wood looked firm and well-maintained. There didn’t seem to be a single imperfection upon its body. The leaves glimmered in colors of green, red, yellow, and any other which might fancy the imagination.

When I drew my head down, had I not already known what to expect, I would have gladly let my soul be taken from my body for the horror that laid in front of me was not something which most men dare look upon. Whether I be lucky or unlucky enough to feast my gaze upon it once again was up to ye.

During the time that I had been admiring the tree, Th’am had formed before me. A body composed of thorny vines, each wrapping around the other, formed some mimicry of the human body. Unnaturally long, green limbs fell down to the ground. Equally long thorns and creepers resembling thumbs and fingers protruded from those long arms and hands.

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“Aye, as expected of the guard of the Witch of Draegnar. Turns out, from what I can read on this shitty paper, the alchemist upon these isles tried to create new rune keys,” I responded back to her. Her answer was a snort.

“Then he’s even more insane than you are. Rune keys aren’t something you can just forge like a sword or shield. Even Lady Liara doesn’t enjoy crafting them for her clients. They require very specific circumstances. What would creating new rune keys do?” Diane asked.

I shrugged. I truly had no idea. I wasn’t aware of these during my first trip here. I pretty much just blasted through any obstacle that got in my way. Not the wisest course of action, but what could I say? The weeks of digging on a sandy shore with no treasure to speak of had left me pretty irate. If I could smack me past self over the head then I’d probably do it.

“Oh? And what specific circumstances do they need?” I asked.

“Lunar Gaelric Leaves, which are only known to bloom once every 200 years, for one thing. They also need the rich droplets stored in them preserved until a certain time of the year. The time when the Ancient Realm and the Nol realm merge together. That’s not…,” Diane widened her eyes as her thought was cut off.

“Aye, now yer getting it,"