Rise of the Devourer

Book 2: Chapter 4 — Quest Choice

Everyone in the chamber, including Raesar, looked at Nae in surprise.

“Are you being serious?” Noah asked. “That… does not sound like a very logical plan.”

“Why choose us?” Aurelia asked, looking at Nae in confusion.

“Because there aren’t many people that I can trust or ask to do this. My hands are tied and the adventurers are busy, working hard to purge the cults. But breaking the spell chain is going to take time. And we’re sorely lacking in information. I need someone who I know I can trust, and who I can send to Heartillia without arousing suspicions.”

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Raesar said, glancing at Noah. “It is one thing with Aurelia and Erwest but it’s far too risky for a complete newbie. Their abilities also do not lend themselves to subterfuge,” Raesar said, glancing towards Nae with a frown.

“That’s the thing. They won’t be using subterfuge. As a party they’re unknown. Especially Noah. With the cultists we’ve captured, we can have them pretend to be one of the traitorous party members working for the cults. I’ve already got enough details to make it happen.”

“Erwest will blow our cover right away. Even if you can make them believe that we’re cultists, it’ll be extremely difficult for you to convince them that a Paladin of Hellion will be one,” Aurelia said.

“The cultists aren’t the only ones who know how to hide their identities,” Nae replied. “I won’t force you, it’s your call. This job will be risky without a doubt, but it could also be our key to stopping the Abyssal Rift from being opened. We barely know how much time we have left, and the cults are starting to take notice that we’re onto them,” Nae said, looking at Noah.

The woman’s eyes were sincere, and he knew she would respect any choice he would make.

Aurelia glanced at Noah for a moment, before turning to Nae. “I don’t think this—”

“We’ll do it,” Noah replied.

Nae’s eyes widened as she looked at him.

“We will?” Aurelia asked.

“Aren’t you the one who told me you became an adventurer because you couldn’t be one of the people who could just sit and watch? That you had to act? This is our chance to act. We could infiltrate the cult, gain information and prevent a catastrophe from happening.”

“There are better ways to act that do not require infiltrating a cult,” Aurelia said, glancing at Nae. “Honestly, I don’t understand how you even plan to get us in. Undercover jobs like this take months at a minimum. We don’t have the expertise, or that kind of time.”

“I have a plan,” Nae said. “You’ll be survivors. The Abyssal Cultists you brought were made to swear an Oath. The conditions were his own survival from the church of Hellion in exchange for his cooperation.”

Aurelia’s eyes widened. “They agreed?” she asked in surprise.

“I was shocked too. But apparently, Hellion herself gave her word.”

“I don’t believe it. Hellion herself letting a cultist live… it sounds like a fairytale” Aurelia said, staring at Nae.

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Noah frowned, glancing upwards into the sky. Was it his involvement that brought on a change? Or had she simply decided the price was worth the cost?

“Honestly, if you ask me, she’ll kill him in the end, or have him killed. But it doesn’t matter. The guy is under our control, and oath bound, he’ll die if he tries to run or sabotage you. This might be our only real shot at stopping this in time,” Nae said.

“I…” Aurelia trailed off, glancing at Noah.

Noah watched Aurelia hesitating, as if something was stuck within her chest.

“Hey Nae, Raesar. Can I talk to Aurelia alone for a moment?” Noah asked.

Nae looked at him, before giving him a nod.

“Nae may believe you are the right people for this, but I do not. You’re new, Noah, and I’m sure we’ll find others who can accept this mission in your stead. So do not make the choice under obligation,” the Drailith said, looking at Noah as he walked out.

Noah turned towards Aurelia. “Is something the matter?”

“No. Yes? I just… I don’t like this. Infiltrating a cult, working on a secret job that may decide the fate of an entire city and kingdom, if not the continent? The responsibility just feels very heavy,” Aurelia said, clenching her fist. “I feel like a coward for saying this now, when you’re not even from this world and are ready to help the best you can.”

“No, I think your response is the natural one. It is a big responsibility. You don’t have to think you’re a coward for that,” Noah said, patting Aurelia’s shoulder. “And while adventuring comes at the risk of death, dying to a monster in battle and being tortured by cultists is a different thing altogether. When I killed the monster in the mines… I saw glimpses of the miner’s memories. It’s not a fate I’d ever wish to live through.”

Noah’s grip tightened on Aurelia’s shoulder.

“Thanks Noah,” Aurelia replied. “I think a part of me was afraid too. Of being put in a cell again, being captured and made so helpless.”

“There are people who might be going through that right now, in these cults. What happened to you… we could stop it from happening to them.”

Aurelia looked up at Noah, and he saw a golden glimmer in her eyes. Ash and embers swirled around her fists as she nodded. “You’re right.”

Noah looked into Aurelia’s eyes, before giving her a nod. Walking to the door, he let Raesar and Nae back into the room.

“We’re in,” Aurelia replied.

“Thank you,” Nae replied, dipping her head lightly.

New Quest obtained!

Quest: Abyssal Reconnaissance

You uncovered the secret of the Abyssal Cult, but more remains hidden in the shadows. Join them under a guise, infiltrating the cult to find out the truth that lurks within the Abyss.

Difficulty: Very Hard

Reward: Unknown

Aurelia jumped back. “What… is that,” she said pointing at the air in front of her where Noah saw a quest window floating.

“You… got the quest too?” He asked, and Aurelia looked at him in surprise.

“What? What quest?” Nae asked, glancing between the two of them in confusion.

“It’s my ability, it gives me rewards for doing quests I get. Apparently I can share it with others now,” Noah said, turning towards Aurelia. “You should accept that.”

Aurelia accepted, selecting yes as the window faded, and Noah returned to the conversation.

“Back to the topic, what’s the plan? We head there, meet the Lord, somehow enter the cult afterwards and then send back information?” Noah asked.

“A very crude manner of putting it, but yes,” Nae said. “You’ll meet the Lord of Heartillia at his castle, who will be made aware of your plan. Once there, you’ll try to find out the location of their hide-outs, and if possible, the source of the spell. If you can destroy the spell, amazing, but if not, just its location and structure will do as well. We’ll keep a strike team ready based on your information and raid the cult, during which you’ll join the frenzy and support from the inside before making your escape.”

“Sounds fun,” Noah said.

“What if we’re captured?”Aurelia asked.

“We’ll be making preparations for that. Methods for you to escape if that ever happens, but obviously there’s risk involved with everything,” Nae said.

“You can use the guild armory,” Raesar added, his draconian eyes focused on Aurelia. “Obviously I can’t let you have everything. A lot of items there are contained because they shouldn’t be out in the world. But with my authority, I should be able to let you guys borrow some gear.”

“What kind of gear?” Noah asked, feeling interested.

“Anything you could think of. But don’t be dazzled by the rarity of the items. A common weapon that fits you is far superior to a Legendary you can’t wield.”

“When will we need to leave for Heartilia?” Aurelia asked.

“In a week. I need time to make preparations, and I assume Noah will need time to work on his soul strain. It’s a bit tight, but I’m sure a couple of spars with Raesar will take care of it,” Nae said with a wink.

Raesar grinned, his muscles bulging as the drailith's sharp teeth glistened. “What about it Noah? Shall we spar again?”

“Let’s not kill him immediately,” Nae said with a smirk.

“Yeah, with these things on, that’s a real possibility,” Noah raised his hands, presenting the shackles.

“Getting cold feet now? I did not expect such spineless talk from you,” Raesar asked.

“We’ll see you say that when I beat you,” Noah said, smiling a predatory grin back, matching Raesar’s smile.

Raesar growled, his voice rumbling. “I’ll look forward to you matching your claims with your fists.”

“Hotheads,” Nae said, shaking her head. “Take him away before he riles Raesar up even more.”

Aurelia nodded, grabbing Noah by the collar. “Come on, we’re heading out.”

“Wait hold on-” Noah protested as Aurelia pulled him, finding himself unable to break out of her grip.

“You too, big guy. We have work to do,” Nae said, grabbing Raesar by his pants as she pulled him along.

Noah let himself be pulled along, watching Nae and Raesar disappear as they made their way out of the guild.

A moment later Aurelia let go of him.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“I’m taking you to a healer,” Aurelia said, glancing at him.

“A healer? Why?”

“You said you wanted to speed up your body to catch up to your soul quickly, isn’t that right?” Aurelia asked.

“Yes?”

“Then you need a healer to make sure you don’t cause damage to yourself, and I know someone who can help,” Aurelia said.

“Huh,” Noah murmured. “I didn’t expect you to agree to that so readily.”

“We’re going on a quest, and it’s important that you keep up. I wouldn’t do this normally, but bringing you along while your soul is strained is even worse. And you need a special kind of doctor, too,” Aurelia said.

“What kind of special?” Noah asked.

Aurelia looked back at him for a moment. “A flesh grafter.”