Chapter 3. Job for mercenaries. Part 1.
– Welcome, child, – purred Hekate, her form shimmering into existence amidst swirling mists: – To my realm where shadows dance and secrets whisper on wind’s soft breath.
The goddess was a vision of darkness incarnate – long raven hair billowing behind as if caught in unseen tempest. Her eyes burned like twin suns ‘neath heavy lids; their gaze boring deep into Lilith’s very soul.
– You have been chosen, – Hekate continued, voice echoing off distant mountains: – For a purpose greater than any other.
– Skip the cryptic stuff. What you want of me?
Hecate laughed and nodded.
– What an impudent little elf you are. But as you wish. I want to hire you and your little mercenary band. Actually to convince you to participate in a little war.
– What war? – carefully asked Lilith.
– A war between demons and fomorians.
Lilith remembered seeing a job offer for mercenaries. Demons from neighboring empire were assembling an army, but the job was in a different kingdom, and Lilith had no interest in it back them.
– Why?
– Because you are who you are. And demons could need your help this time. You are very resourceful, when pushed against the wall after all. And about your reward. I cannot offer to increase your level, nor I can offer you artifacts, but a way to get rid of your curse.
– Which curse? I have several.
– Curse that drives you insane. Caused by your Mark of Cain skill.
– I thought it was impossible?
– Ordinarily no. But you purchased Tuatha Dé Danann. He is descendant of a god. And their rulers are gods, who live on earth. They possess a godly treasures. One of them is called Dagda’s cauldron. You have a vial of Living water. Pour it inside cauldron and then, once you drink it, ii will remove all your skills.
– And leave me defenseless and weak? No! I need my skills!
– Thought that you will say that, – sighed goddess: – Fine. You do have six vials of Dead water as well. I can place a spell on the vials, which contain Dead water. Once you pour them inside a cauldron, and drink the Dead water from a vial, it will change your skill to another. Any of your choosing.
– Can any skill be changed? And will it work for anyone?
– Yes. As a goddess of magic I possess the skills necessary to enchant your vials, to change any skill.
– Then, – Lilith thought for a while: – Place a spell on all six vials. And skills of my choosing, to any other of my choosing. And also I want a vial of your blood.
– My blood? You wish to make a leveling potion? But it is impossible for you to level up using leveling potions.
– That is my problem. Just do it. Do we have an agreement?
– Fine. Give me the vials with Dead water.
Lilith took out seven vials and placed them in front of a goddess. One of them was empty, and rest of them filled with dark water. Vials with Dead water were gathered by Lilith during her previous adventures. And getting them almost killed her, but the rewards now could be worth the trouble.
– Put a spell on them to change… Let me think. Mana Rapid Recovery to Eternal Youth skill. Another Mana Rapid Recovery to Eternal youth, Lesser Mana Use to Double Skill Slots, Butchery skill to Eternal Youth skill, Lumberjack skill to Eternal Youth and Martial Arts to Demon Style Martial Arts skill.
– You did not choose to change Mark of Cain skill? And those are not even your skills, except one?
– No, I did not. And the deal was for you to place a spell which will change skills. I did not say mine.
Hecate raised her eyebrow, but nodded.
– Very well. This is a first in a long time, when a mortal have surprised me, but as you wish.
Hecate waved her hand over each of full vials, and then cut her hand and filled empty vial with her blood.
– You have your reward, little elf.
Lilith gathered the vials and placed them inside her Female purse. Hecate snapped her fingers, and next moment Lilith was back in a temple. She looked around and shrugged.
– Let’s hope that the job will pay good, – she mumbled and exited the temple, completely ignoring the priest. He looked at her surprised. He did not even noticed her absence. For him it looked like Lilith just approached the altar and then left. But he did not stop her. His task was just to bring her to the temple, and he did what his goddess wanted.
Before going to Mercenary guild, there was one more thing, which she needed to attend to. Lilith returned to the tavern and took Cian to her room, located across the room of her slaves.
– Sit down, – she ordered and tuatha boy sat on a chair in front of his owner.
– You have master level Sword Saint skill. But it is your only skill. How is this possible, that you got it to master level, without getting other skills?
– I am Tuatha Dé Danann. We do not use your cursed leveling crystals.
– Why?
– Cannot. We are descendants of gods. They do not work for us. Even if they did, we would never use those cursed items.
– What do you mean – Cursed items?
– Long ago they were created using Black magic. Created by humans through dark arts, involving sacrifice of innocent blood, – he murmured softly, voice tinged with bitter regret: – To craft single orb requires blood of human sacrifices. The younger the victim, the more potent and lasting power infused into finished product, – he shook his head slowly as if trying to dislodge memories long buried past before continuing explanation: – Each crystal imbued with essence of soul sacrificed to it. Leveling crystal are only good for limited times of uses. Many tens of thousands lost their lives, simply to fuel ambition of power-hungry few, who wield such relics.
Lilith listened attentively to all this disturbing information, processing implications rapidly, with her mind racing.
– And what happens to those whose lives are taken to create these abominations? – she asked finally, voice hard and cold with anger, simmering beneath surface.
Tuatha Dé Danann sighed heavily, shoulders slumping with weight and weariness of age beyond years reflected in weary eyes.
– Their spirits are trapped within orbs themselves – doomed to wander aimlessly through endless void, until magic spent at last, – he whispered softly, gaze distant with recollections too painful to bear light of a day.
– Still worth the sacrifice, given the power they give to humans and their allies, – shrugged Lilith: – Then how did YOU get master level Sword Saint skill?
Lilith leaned forward on the bed, her gaze intense as she fixed it upon Cian’s troubled form. The air in the room felt heavy with tension – a palpable weight bearing down upon them both.
– How did you attain your Master level Sword Saint skill? – she asked softly, voice barely above whisper, yet carrying authority that could not be denied: – Tell me!
Tuatha Dé Danann’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, he hesitated and then felt great pain. He grabbed his slave collar and moaned in pain.
– Slave collar will hurt you, until you obey my orders, – said Lilith watching the boy with distant expression. Her voice was cold as ice.
As Cian’s convulsions subsided, Lilith leaned in closer – eyes narrowing with concern at the sight of dark markings, now visible upon his upper arm. She gently grasped his wrist and turned it to better examine strange pattern etched into skin there.
– Goibniu, – he whispered hoarsely, voice trembling with emotions barely held check: – The smithing god himself gave me a bracelet – imbued its metal is with power beyond comprehension. Goibniu is the one who grants all Tuatha Dé Danann skills.
– Show me!
Cian rolled up his short sleeve and showed his hand to Lilith.
– What is this? – she asked softly, one finger tracing delicate lines resembling intricate tattoo: – Explain.
The Tuath de Dannan’s gaze flickered up to meet hers – a mixture of shame and desperation swimming within depths of those stormy eyes.
The tattoo etched into Cian’s upper arm was unlike anything Lilith had seen before. It resembled a delicate lacework of black ink – intricate swirls and loops that seemed to writhe beneath surface as if alive with their own malevolent energy.
At first glance one might mistake it for mere decorative marking – an artistic flourish adorning fair skin there. But upon closer examination Lilith could see subtle runes woven throughout design, glimmering faintly almost imperceptible light.
The black ink itself seemed to shift hue, as she watched entranced – deepening from inky darkness towards deepest crimson red, where it met veins running beneath surface like some twisted reflection of life force pulsing within. And at center motif stood out stark against backdrop of swirling chaos: a sword in mans hands.
– Once I placed the bracelet on my arm, it fused with my flesh, and this picture appeared.
– Can the bracelet be removed?
– No. Perhaps by Gobniu himself. But no one else can do it.
– What happens if you die?
– Bracelet gets destroyed.
– What a shame. Fine you my return to your room.
Cian nodded and left, massaging his neck. Lilith’s borrowing glare followed him. Boy had more secrets than she could think possible.
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