Published at 16th of February 2024 2:24 pm

Chapter 2.40 Unexpected Visitors

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The following business day passed mostly without incident. The morning started slow, letting Nox have brunch with his friends and tell them about the past evening. Much to their delight, Michelle and Ernest had joined them, making the day extra special. Joey had recently started joining them for the meals, too. He occupied the Beaufort sister’s usual seat next to Caitlin.

When Joey first started attending the Seventhday gatherings, he appeared awkward and uncomfortable. Given his harsh life, the man’s behavior surprised no one. Nox guessed the apartment and his surroundings were perhaps much more luxurious than he had ever experienced. Brunch was usually a decadent meal for the rich, too.

The meal and conversation turned into something more thanks to Aria’s charisma and social prowess. Everyone indulged in intoxicants except her and Nox. She didn’t want to consume any, so he didn’t feel pressured. Meanwhile, Nox refrained from keeping his mental faculties for the coming business day.

The decision proved intelligent, not because of any new saboteurs but because customers appeared during the lunch rush specifically requesting Nox. Most of them were Daksinthani. Nox either met them the previous evening or they heard about him from other guests. Ratra’s Knightly Brews sold out of all cosmetics for Daksinthanis in a couple of hours. Fortunately, Nox already had a new batch brewing, and the customers agreed to collect them personally the following afternoon or send their servants. Some even commissioned personalized concoctions. It led to uncomfortable interactions in the treatment room as women significantly older than him flirted while removing their clothes and displaying moles, rashes, wrinkles, or an assortment of skin issues.

The gathering had grown when Nox returned to his friends. Pudge had joined them with a woman Nox recalled encountering at the start of the previous semester. As far as he remembered from the brief conversation, Piya was from an orthodox Daksinthani family and betrothed. Nox didn’t know if her circumstances had changed, but body language suggested things had progressed past casual hook-ups between the pair.

Nox wasn’t one to pry and hated asking questions about such things because it made all parties uncomfortable. Aria and the women in the party didn’t have such qualms.

“We’ve been seeing each other secretly for a few months now,” Pudge replied.

“Unfortunately, my mother works in the university’s administration building,” Piya added. Her pale cheeks reddened as she continued. “Last Fourthday Pudge and I were—” She hesitantly glanced at Pudge. “Entangled in my laboratory when Ma walked in, and she saw everything. She’s not happy about it, but I’m an adult, financially independent, and have enough of a reputation to stand free of my family name.”

“Aren’t you worried about losing your inheritance?” Michelle asked. The two women appeared familiar with one another. “I’m sorry if that’s too blunt a question, but I’ve seen far too many situations like this during my time here. They often get ugly.”

“I’m the fourth child and third daughter. I wasn’t going to get much anyway. My sisters and I know not to expect much besides a dowry to our future husband’s family and perhaps a manor or airship, depending on where we settle.” Piya poured herself a cup of the spiced wine she and Pudge had purchased. “Given how my research is going and the Imperium’s interests in my work, I can afford all of that without Mother or Grandmother’s contributions.”

“Good for you,” Aria said, raising her cup. “I have nothing but respect for women like you.”

“IS there a subliminal message I should be picking up there?” Nox asked, playfully nudging Aria.

The world shook before his new partner could reply. Nox had experienced earthquakes before when the Golden Isles passed mana storms or changed directions, breaking away from a guiding leyline. However, none were as terrible as the current trembling. Crockery rained from the shelves lining the kitchen and toppled off the tables as well. The bubbling porridge pot fell off the stove, spilling boiled oats, milk, dried fruits, and chopped nuts all over the floor.

Screams and panicked shouts rang from the surrounding buildings. The tremors ceased for a moment before continuing a couple of minutes later. Rumbles sounded in the distance and then closer. A moment later, the chaos rang from just across the street. While everyone scrambled for cover, slipping under the dining table or rushing to doorframes, Nox raced to the reinforced windows.

A section of the building on the opposite side of the street had collapsed. The Taylor’s home had suffered similar ground-floor damage, and Nox saw worst further down the road. Entire buildings had turned into rubble. Lillin and Aria rushed to where Nox stood. Dust rained around the doorframes, and the others also joined him. Only Michelle and Ernest remained under the dining table. His bulk and physiology made him better than any other protection.

The contractors had reinforced the area while installing more robust windows. The several layers of wards further strengthened the external walls and their openings. Everyone but the Beauforts huddled together as the shockwaves came periodically. More collapses followed over the following minutes before everything ceased just as suddenly as they had started. Screams and shouts filled the neighborhood and beyond while leaves rained from above.

“By Yggdrasil!” Piya exclaimed, throwing the windows open as the final shockwaves passed. “What in the blight is that?”

A mountain stood in the distance where there had been none before. The land around the City of Ygg was reasonably flat, with endless green fields, occasional thickets and woodlands, and even rarer hills. The sudden appearance of mountains caught everyone off guard. Then the mountains trembled—stones, shrubbery, and more cascaded from them.

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“Those aren’t like any mountains I’ve seen before,” Pudge said. “Only a powerful Shaper like Dean Woodson can create so massive with one spell, but that would take far more time and wouldn’t be this wild or rich with life so soon. That’s—”

“It’s Terrastalia,” Nox stated.

“Why is Terrastalia here?” Aria stood tall, her face cold as ice. Her stiff shoulders and trembling hands betrayed her rage and fear. Unlike Nox and the party, she had the misfortune of seeing the beast up close as it marched through the barony. The rest had only seen it from a distance as the airship followed and then landed among the destruction left behind. “The scouts said he disappeared into the ocean.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Nox replied. “People would’ve seen it coming.” He paused, checking on his friends. “Everybody, get your equipment ready. I’ll check on the shop and get ready, too.”

“Ready for what?” Michelle asked.

“Those are monsters raining from the dungeon on Terrastalia’s back.” Nox pointed at the distant dots falling from the mountain. “Rifts will follow. The city and villages need us.”

“Wait—”

Another terrible tremor followed, interrupting Michelle’s protest. Nox heard glass shattering through the floor. It sounded like a shelf in the storeroom or shop had collapsed. Then Piya gasped, drawing his attention. She pointed out of the window, eyes wide.

Terrastalia turned translucent and shimmered before disappearing just as suddenly as he had appeared. Serpents and giant domed shapes fell from the empty space left behind by the titan of stone and flesh. Nox guessed they were residents of the dungeon residing on Terrastalia’s back. He hoped there weren’t myconids among them. The diseases and blights following them would devastate the countryside, destroying the city’s food source and polluting the water. Ygg kept most at bay but needed time to do her job.

“We’ll clean up here,” Lillin said, using spatial and gravity magic to suck broken plates and bowls off the floor. “You go check on the store.”

“I will, but hurry up. We need to check with the city guard and whatever is happening outside the walls.” Nox raised his hand when Michelle tried to protest. “I appreciate you’re scared about Ernest getting hurt because of my incompetence. You don’t have to help us, Michelle. We don’t need you for this. There are bound to be casualties. I’m sure Ernest and you can help with relief efforts. If you don’t want to do that, go home.” Michelle appeared hurt by the blunt speech, but Nox wasn’t in a position to care. Finally, he turned to Aria. She had started to clean up the spilled porridge. He took the mop from her and led her down the stairs. “I know you probably want to help, but things will get messy and chaotic.”

“Rioting and looting are likely,” Aria said. “I get it. You want me to return to campus where it's secure.”

“Thank you,” Nox replied. “I can’t focus on what’s important unless you’re safe and sound.”

“Aren’t you sweet?”

Aria kissed Nox goodbye before he had Kishan escort her back to the university campus.

“How much did we lose?” Nox asked Allen and Aisha. Kishan remained in the workshop to ensure the stability of the current brews.

“The commissioned brews are fine,” Aisa replied. “We lost the Feline Grace and Skin Rejuivator cooks. The Daksinthani cosmetics survives as well as the Tincture of Sigil Awakenings.”

“We only lost one shelf of empowering cocktails out of the storeroom,” Allen added. “We successfully stabilized the rest before any other shelves collapsed.”

“As long as the explosives, smoke bombs, and Trap Foam survived, we’re fine. Either container shattering would end poorly for everyone in the building.” Nox sighed, somewhat relieved. No one would die, and he hadn’t lost as much money as expected. “Aisha, go assist Kishan. Once everything is cleaned up and secure, I’d like you to mass brew healing brews and sterilizing potions. They needn’t be our usual standard. Focus on quantity over quality.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied before rushing to the basement.

Nox filled his pockets with healing pills before exiting the store. The contractors had done a brilliant job on his building, and it remained unscathed. His neighbors weren’t as fortunate. Nox helped people carry the injured out of the rubble and provided emergency medical care. It wasn’t long before Michelle and Ernest joined him. The latter’s inhuman strength made rescue efforts easier.

“I wasn’t going to run away, you know,” Michelle grumbled as they attended to a ruptured femoral artery together. “We’re always available for rescue and medical work. I just don’t want my brother in dungeons or on the frontlines, throwing him against monsters to protect everyone. Sure. He’s in a phylactery and can’t die, but Ernest still feels pain.”

“So you’re saying you’re no longer a part of the party then?” Nox asked.

“I suppose so. But it certainly feels like you and Caitlin have already replaced us with Joey.”

“Were you expecting us to hold our breaths until you made your decision?”

“You might be frustrated with Michelle and me, but you will behave with my sister, Nox.” Ernest’s deep voice rumbled as they moved between disaster scenes. “This isn’t an easy decision for either of us. After everything you’ve experienced in your life, losing your father, inheritance, your name, and your family, I’d expect you of all people to understand.”

A pit formed in Nox’s stomach. It was true. He was mostly frustrated that his friends would be leaving him. Ernest had already done his part. The man had died once, lost his body, and now lived a probably miserable half-life. It made sense they wanted to regain everything they had ever lost and live in reasonable peace. Not everyone was bent on revenge or filled with hatred for the gods like him.

“I’m sorry,” Nox said after they rescued another emergency patient. “Please do what you think best for your future and family name. We’ll delve without you henceforth. I’ll ask Kris and Professor Wolfhammer to accelerate Joey’s training. We’ll function as a four until then.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Michelle sighed, helping the man apply an emergency tourniquet around his arm. “I don’t think Ernest or I will ever enter a dungeon again. We feel terrible about it after everything the party has experienced together. I feel like we’re letting you down, Nox. And I’m truly sorry for that. But I feel the Beauforts can do more good off the battlefield than on with our family knowledge and craft. I’m preparing a bigger body for Ernest, too. I’m sick of regularly implanting monster organs in the last person dear to me. It's messing with his head, and I’m afraid I’m losing my brother.”

Michelle’s words only left Nox feeling guiltier. So, he left the conversation for later and focused on saving lives.

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