Published at 11th of May 2026 6:26 am

Chapter 150: The Killing of a Lunatic Cultist

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I delay only to retrieve my thrown blades before approaching the building with the crossbow in hand. Its a dingy, smallish apartment, or maybe communal living structure. Two stories, with enough space for maybe a dozen rooms. Big enough to house a cult, though it might be cramped if its the same size as my old one.

I approach slowly, hoping the concealment spell might have kept some element of surprise, but that hope is dashed by the door slamming open and three raggedy clad figures emerging with crude knives and clubs. Two rush me while the third stays back to chant some simple fire spell.

Discerning from the basicness of the spell that the mage isnt Tallow, I choose not to use the crossbow so I dont have to reload it. Instead, I just throw a knife into the first ones throat, lop off the second ones hand and trip them, then lunge past to stab the mage in the stomach, shattering a very weak shield as I do.

How many inside? I ask as I pin the mage to the wall, blade still in their gut.

They make some generic insult, so I twist the blade, then repeat the question. A dozen, maybe more. They answer, gasping.

How many mages?

Me, and three others.

Including Simicle?

They look surprised that I know her name, but nod. Good, that should mean I only need to fight two real threats, since I doubt she had time to return. Is the third mage as strong as you?

A bit stronger. Good. I assume Tallow will be stronger than Similce, but I should be able to handle them with the crossbow. But if the other mage was as strong as Similce, things might be too dangerous to continue.

How do I recognize Tallow?

Tall man, a bit muscular. Groomed. Young thirtyish. Fancy robes and a gold necklace.

Thanks for the help, I say, then consider what to do, itching mildly.

I did promise Allan to try to resist, but Ill need all the help I can get going after a mage of unknown ability in their own lair. Besides, its not like itll be sending them to someplace they arent going already.

The mage struggles uselessly as I use the blood dagger to trace the runes on their face, instantly recognizing what Im doing. The amount of power I receive when I cut the throat is surprising, being more than ten times as much as a normal sacrifice. I expected a little increase from them being a mage, but clearly, they had some hidden factor.

I go over to the second one, whos weeping on the ground while trying to hold their severed hand to its stump arm, and sacrifice them too. Noticeably less pleasure this time, but still much more than normal. About five times as much.

Very strange, but I dont have time to contemplate it.

Using my boosted strength, I easily toss the bodies inside the building, where the concealment effect will hopefully prevent any unwanted interruptions. Then I pause, realizing I can likely sustain three spells at the moment, and so take a few seconds to add a shield to the concealment and guidance effects. Then I creep into the darkened structure, crossbow out and ready to shoot.

The rest of the cult are fortified at various points inside, hiding at the end of hallways or behind turned tables and the like, holding mundane crossbows and improvised throwing weapons. None look like how Tallow was described, and the mage didnt seem like they were lying. Too many details to invent whole cloth, even without my enhanced senses scrutinizing them.

So, I only kill those who are directly in my way. Itd make too much noise otherwise, which might allow Tallow to see through my concealment and act first. I dont even sacrifice them for fear of being seen, though my skin protests.

. I have my divining rod out, having fed it the name and description. Im clearly being countered, but its impossible to fully hide when the pursuer is this close. My rod rapidly flashes changing temperatures as I get erratic readings, but I can tell for certain a general direction, and that direction is down.

So, I find a staircase to the basement and creep down it. The bottom widens out into a single room of roughly hewn stone. Its dark, save for a pair of candles illuminating a figure looming over a table with a naked body on top his hands groping through the entrails as he pulls them out and discards the long bloody rope.

Its clearly Tallow by the description, which means its obviously not.

He knows Im here, the floor above is guarded, but theres no one else in sight while he conveniently performs a focus consuming ritual in plain sight of the rooms entrance? Clearly a trap. Either illusion magic or just switching outfits with one of his followers. Lets assume magic. I dont know what hes capable of, since even if I asked the mage, I doubt he would know much. At least my own experience with a patriarch suggests they keep their spells close to their chest. But best to assume hes on the more powerful side of things.

So, I creep forward, looking around for hiding spots, and quickly find a discrepancy in a side wall. The stone pattern does not match up. Listening closer, I hear breathing, then a heartbeat. All indicating an illusionary wall that someone is hiding behind.

Its still hard to home in with the rod, but combined with the sound, its enough to lock in guidance. I do another quick glance at the figure by the table, confirming that they dont even fully match the description, then shoot the concealed figure in the heart and curse as a short, heavyset middle-aged woman falls dead out of the false wall. Then I hear the chanting of an unknown spell behind me.

I spin around to see a second illusionary wall drop to reveal the figure of Tallow, grinning wildly as he picks up the tempo of the chanting and raises an ominous finger towards me. I drop my crossbow and leap at him, drawing my sword for an overhand swing towards his head. Doubtlessly, he has a shield spell, but it doubtlessly wont be enough to stop my godly might.

His spell finishes first, and I freeze midstep, tumbling to the ground in overwhelming spasms of pain. I try to resist, but the steel-like pain prevents even an inch of motion. I dont recognize the spell.

There are similarly incapacitating spells in my version of the Biblio, but they all work by inducing sleep, and arent effective against people covered in a shield, or in a state of higher excitement or enhancement, all of which I obviously am.

Does it perhaps work directly on the soul rather than the body or mind?

It must be a highly advanced spell, which should have meant a longer casting time, as it seems to work on different principles. Meaning its either an even more advanced version, with a shortened casting time, or, which I find more plausible, he was chanting before I took the shot, before I even went downstairs

Stupid! I knew he had a method of tracking those under Anar boons through countering or concealment. He must have known precisely when I got down the stairs. I had hoped that the method was too clumsy to use in battleNo, thats too generous. I didnt even hope, because I let myself forget. I was too eager for an excuse to sacrifice to even try to consider the obvious reason not to. So now Im in this situation, unable to do anything but speculate how I fell for a trap.

Tallow seems to appreciate my stupidity as much as I do, as he giggles triumphantly over me. So kind of you to drop in, Malz. Now, dont even think about getting up. I simply insist you stay for tea. His smile suddenly slips as he straightens and shouts up to his cult in a sing song voice. Everyone, come down now! The danger is passed!

Six dishevelled figures creep down the stairs two at a time. Varying heights and ages. Tallow gestures to the figure stooped over the naked body, which I now realize has been going over crudely repeating motions, and it instantly vanishes. The naked, gutted, bdy though is left behind, which Tallow promptly shoves off the table and motions his underlings to put me in its place.

As they lift me, I cant help but chastise myself again. The figure was so obviously an illusion that I should have realized it was meant to be seen through. But I thought myself so clever that I didnt even think that I might be falling for the trick. So confident in my boons which have failed me.

Hey! I found him, Daddy, hes! Similce yells as she bounds down the stairs, then stops short when she spots my supine form on the ritual table.

Yes, Tallow grins sardonically, hes right here. Well spotted. Though I suppose the reason why he managed to kill half the cult is because you failed to handle him and then were too slow in coming back? A completely unfair characterization of events, given that most of those deaths were obviously due to him laying a trap for me. But I cant speak to say that.

I I thought the plan was to capture him alive. I couldnt Similce says chastised, staring at her feet.

Yes, and I dont suppose your failure had anything to do with this? he half shouts as he jabs two fingers into the hole in her clothes over her heart where the bolt penetrated her. She tries to sputter a denial, but he cuts her short. Anar does not tolerate weakness, Similce. We will mete out your punishment later in private, theres a leering quality to his tone as he says punishment.

Of course, his statement is a complete misunderstanding of Anars teachings. Anar isnt about strength, but ambition to strength. He doesnt demand constant strength from his followers; in fact, he doesnt demand anything from them. He just offers a path to power. He doesnt despise anyone for not taking it or failing to act at a certain level of ability.

Yet Similce doesnt notice the heresy, and just glances away with a slight blush. Yes, Daddy, she says, barely audible.

Well, worry not, he turns to me with a wolf-like grin, delighting in the minute spasms I make as I futilely try to shake myself from his spell. Pain whelming me with each fraction of an inch moved. Despite your incompetence, our prey has wandered into our home on his own. Now its just a matter of finding his copy of the Biblio, and we can leave this suffocating city.

Which opens one last avenue of action negotiation. I cant speak, but the mental whisper spell doesnt require verbal chanting or gestures. In fact, its the one thing I can do under this effect.

The book is hidden in a place youll never find if you kill me, I say to him through the spell, power increased so that its obvious that Im the one speaking.

Tallow looks surprised at the contact, but then grins in delight. Oh, a mental whisper spell. That does make this more fun. I dont suppose you have any other mental magic up your sleeve that can get you out of this? He gloats over me. No? I suppose you would have used that first, wouldnt you? But dont worry, Im certain well find your Biblio without your graciously offered help. I mean, its probably just hidden at the abode of whatever identity youre using now. We just need to figure that out, then itll just be a matter of going there. Yes?

My facial control is nearly non-existent under the paralyzing effect, allowing him to instantly see that his analysis is correct, though he continues as if he does not.

Well, its really no matter either way. Getting the book would be nice, but were mostly here for you, Malz. The book is just glazing on the pig. I mean, do you have any idea how good of sacrifice you are? A noble mage whos also willing?

He looms closer to gloat, and a faint hope sparks, masked by genuine confusion. I still have the knife enchanted by the Mynharrans blood. Just one scratch will kill him. One spasm of my hand might be enough, done with enough will to get through the pain. But I need him closer.

What are you talking about? Im not willing.

Oh? I curse inwardly as he straightens in confusion, inadvertently taking himself away from danger. Was that tidbit not in your copy of the Biblio? Dont you know that unless one throws oneself at Tacyn, that anyone who has committed a certain number of sacrifices will automatically count as fully willing? After all, its not like Anar will have to struggle to take you. What other god would even touch you after the hundreds that youve offered?

That makes sense. I should have realized. It explains why I got so much power from those cultists I sacrificed outside. It also explains why anyone would start a cult in the first place, a point that always confused me. After all, why would anyone share the sacrifices with others? But if it makes better sacrifices

No time. Unfortunately for you, though, I have gained Tacyns grace, I lie, very badly, but it succeeds in the intended effect of bringing him closer to peer at my face.

Dont be absurd, he laughs, youre under Anars boons right now! How stupid do you think I am?

I project a shrug mentally. Oh, wasnt it mentioned in your copy of the Biblio? I echo his mocking tone, Tacyn makes an exception for sacrificing Anar cultists that havent turned to her yet. Though I suppose it makes sense for your copy to not include that bit. I mean, it doesnt exactly instil a sense of loyalty if everyone knows how to have the cake and eat it, now does it? I grin, smugly through the pain. As hard as it is to express the right emotions right now, I can manage smugness. After all, as so many have pointed out, smugness is just something I default to.

What? No, thats not so much effort, youre saying, he grows increasingly agitated as he looms closer and closer. The spittle he produces as he raises his voice in disbelief is unpleasant, but if he just gets a little bit

Oh, whats this? he laughs suddenly, some uncontrolled expression alerting him to look at my hand, which he promptly pulls away from the hidden blade. Trying something, were you? What do you have here? I try not to mentally curse as he turns me on my side and I feel him gingerly retrieve the weapon before returning me to my supine position.

Now wasnt that clever, he says, staring at the blade in his hand. You know, I almost believed you. But it was just a ruse, wasnt it? What is this, though? You obviously thought it would save you, but I dont recognize the runes.

Dont panic, theres still hope. The blade is absurdly sharp. He just needs to accidentally nick himself and

Well, Im certain Ill find out after I find your copy of the Biblio, he says, taking the sheath and carefully placing it in it. I try screaming suddenly through the spell as he puts it in, hoping to startle him into cutting himself, but no such luck. No need for more distractions when the worked for moment is so close at hand. Now, gather round children, and watch as Daddy ascends.

Climbing on the table to straddle me, he pulls out his own dagger, which he slices his palm with to quickly apply the ritual runes to my face.

I feel sick with each stroke, expecting each one with an inverted familiarity. What can I do? Allan. Did he get my message? Is he on his way? I need to delay, just a little bit more.

I shout through the spell, saying all sorts of things to get him to hesitate. Saying that the book is trapped under illusions, and that it has knowledge worth more than my sacrifice.

Hush now, he says after tracing the last stroke, placing a finger pointlessly on my lips. Its undignified to beg. Now, I give your soul to Anar.

Pulling my tunic open, he stabs the dagger into my heart. Theres a brief but whelming pain, then nothing as my view shifts up, looking down on my own bloody, lifeless corpse. This view only lasts an instant, though, as some force rips me from the scene, through the walls and outside as the world around me blurs from the speed. Then nothing. Not even blackness as my view fades completely away.

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