THEOS
Author: Arthur Wordsmith
Chapter 39: The Cat-Bird
Hey, Im Luke. He extended his hand, and introduced himself to the Outer Disciple that had delivered the news.
He grabbed Lukes hand as he caught his breath. Axin.
Sooo what did you guys find?
He grinned. A griffin. Its why were here. We heard rumors of one in the area, and Elder Agnella decided to lead an expedition to capture it.
Lukes eyes widened in surprise. A griffin? He asked, just to make sure he had heard him right. Thats the thing with an eagle's head and wings attached to a lions body, right? He asked eagerly, already imagining what such a creature would look like in real life.
He thought to himself.
Axin grinned in response. Mhm.
What does she want it for?
He shrugged his shoulders. Im not sure. We think she just wanted a steed, but they're supposed to be valuable. I just hope she catches it this time so we can go home. Weve been after it for months, but it's really fast, and only the Elder can fly fast enough to chase after it. He explained, stepping back into the main street. Whats your deal by the way?
Its a long story.
Mhm. Axin grunted. Some other time then, Im a bit drained for a long story.
Yeah, Im dead on my feet too. Do you mind taking me to your camp? I think Id kill for a bed and a warm blanket right about now.
Yeah, I was just about to head there too. What was the giant like, by the way. Youre the guy that stayed with her, yeah?
Luke nodded. I was, and it was scary. Really scary. It was at the Warrior-tier. Thing almost killed me. Luke stretched his arms. Are they all so happy?
It was happy? Axin asked incredulously.
Yeah It was trying to kill me, but it was laughing and smiling and stuff.
But they dont have mouths. Axin pointed out.
I know, and it didnt, but it did this thing with its eyes, and it was waving and stuff. I dont know, I just thought it was weird. Luke frowned. And creepy.
I guess well find out if that's normal or not eventually. In the stories, the giants are always mindless beasts, but maybe those are just the Mortal-tier ones.
Maybe. Luke ran his hands through his hair.
The pair heard the camp before they saw it. Sounds of laughter, and loud conversations proliferated through the night as the members of the Rising Sun Sect celebrated the giants' defeat.
When the camp finally came into view, Lukes mouth dropped open in surprise as he saw Lukeus swaying drunkenly as he stood atop the giants foot, a mortal woman draped across his shoulder, and a bottle full of booze in his hand.
It was the most epic thing Ive ever imagined ever seeing! Lukeus lifted his bottle into the air. The crowd assembled before him cheered, seemingly impressed by his nonsensical speech, and lifted their own bottles in response.
Luke grinned at the spectacle, as he walked deeper into the camp.
Everywhere he went the Inner Disciples had assembled in small clumps, and were regaling their black-robed counterparts with already embellished accounts of what had happened. Who for their part were wearing looks of disappointment, realizing that they had not only missed the chance to see Elder Agnella fight the monster, but also how Arke stopped it in its tracks, and how Emperor Cyzicus had made short work of it.
Their voices sank to whispers as they recounted the events that took place after.
Did Lord Cyzicus really call her a mean lady? A blonde girl asked
He did, and she got angry, and then my face was in the dirt. She was so strong, but then Lord Cyzicus was like, I wont let you harm my citizens, even if it kills me, and he sounded so scary when he said it, and Arke flew away after that.
Youre telling the story all wrong, what really happened is Another Inner Disciple shook his head and interrupted them. Interjecting with his own, more correct, version of the story.
Do you have a spare tent for me? Luke asked.
You can sleep in that one Axin said pointing to an empty one in a group of filled ones. Its mine, but I dont need it for tonight. He patted Luke on the shoulder and walked away, with a pep in his step.
Luke followed him with his eyes as he made a beeline to a girl on the opposite side of the camp, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he realized why the tent had been offered so freely.
Settling into the tent, Luke called up his status.
| Skills | Quests | Inventory
Name: Lukas King
Tier: Mortal
Mana: 980 / 4648
Rate: 15% per hour
Strength: 109
Agility: 239
Constitution: 112
Arcana: 83
Stat Points: 0
Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)
Charges: 7/10
He frowned.
He suddenly realized.
He sighed softly as he subtly shifted his posture. Listening as the activity outside gradually began to lessen and silence overtook the night.
When he woke up, it was to the sound of excited screams and beating wings, as gusts of air rocked his borrowed tent.
He clutched his sword tightly, for a moment fearing it was Arke that had returned before deciding that the odds of that happening, while not zero, were low.
He thought to himself, as he got dressed. Already having an idea of what the commotion was.
Luke grinned at that thought, as he stepped out of the tent. A grin that only widened when his earlier suspicion was confirmed.
Lying lazily in the middle of the camp, was the most majestic creature he had ever seen. It was big, the size of an elephant, with golden wings tucked into its feline body, while its equally golden eagle-like head surveyed the crowd forming around it with curiosity.
Howd you get it to be so calm, Elder?
I made it my familiar. Nel answered absently, walking around it in a circle as she stroked its fur.
Luke thought to himself, as he inched closer to the warrior and her pet. His mind darted to the egg he had stored in his inventory, as he suddenly realized that he might have a use for it after all.
he thought grudgingly,
Luke, there you are! Nel called out to him, the second he made his way to the front of the crowd. Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the cat-bird as she parted the crowd and walked towards him.
Hi, He said, thats a nice cat you have there.
She grinned in response. I have something to tell you. Come. She led him out of the camp, and towards the river. I know I invited you to join the Rising Sun, but Grandfather has requested that you join him in the Capital.
What? Really?
Luke scoffed.
Its not what you're thinking. Your participation in the Olympics is still your choice, but he thinks that your potential will be wasted doing chores in the Rising Sun. You can refuse, and if you want to, join the Sect anyway. Grandfather isnt the type of person who forces others to obey his will.
Luke frowned as he considered her words.
Whats the Capital like?
Its the Capital. The Seat of his Power. Its big and they have plays and festivals almost everyday. Its lively. I dont know. Youll be fine there.
And theres really no pressure. I can just not go?
Yes. She sighed. Grandfather said he recognized your type. He wont force you, and he wont try and manipulate you either. Its why Im asking you and he isnt. So you wouldnt feel pressured.
Do you know what he wants from me? Luke asked.
She bit her lip. Im not sure, but, she hedged, Ive heard rumors that hes close to breaking through to the next tier, and its not only the winner of the tournament that gets a prize. She looked at him meaningfully.
Huh.
Nels eyes suddenly widened as she looked past Luke. Following her gaze, Luke was wholly unsurprised to find the Emperor standing behind him, idly smelling a rose.
So, what do you say? He asked.
He grabbed Lukes hand as he caught his breath. Axin.
Sooo what did you guys find?
He grinned. A griffin. Its why were here. We heard rumors of one in the area, and Elder Agnella decided to lead an expedition to capture it.
Lukes eyes widened in surprise. A griffin? He asked, just to make sure he had heard him right. Thats the thing with an eagle's head and wings attached to a lions body, right? He asked eagerly, already imagining what such a creature would look like in real life.
He thought to himself.
Axin grinned in response. Mhm.
What does she want it for?
He shrugged his shoulders. Im not sure. We think she just wanted a steed, but they're supposed to be valuable. I just hope she catches it this time so we can go home. Weve been after it for months, but it's really fast, and only the Elder can fly fast enough to chase after it. He explained, stepping back into the main street. Whats your deal by the way?
Its a long story.
Mhm. Axin grunted. Some other time then, Im a bit drained for a long story.
Yeah, Im dead on my feet too. Do you mind taking me to your camp? I think Id kill for a bed and a warm blanket right about now.
Yeah, I was just about to head there too. What was the giant like, by the way. Youre the guy that stayed with her, yeah?
Luke nodded. I was, and it was scary. Really scary. It was at the Warrior-tier. Thing almost killed me. Luke stretched his arms. Are they all so happy?
It was happy? Axin asked incredulously.
Yeah It was trying to kill me, but it was laughing and smiling and stuff.
But they dont have mouths. Axin pointed out.
I know, and it didnt, but it did this thing with its eyes, and it was waving and stuff. I dont know, I just thought it was weird. Luke frowned. And creepy.
I guess well find out if that's normal or not eventually. In the stories, the giants are always mindless beasts, but maybe those are just the Mortal-tier ones.
Maybe. Luke ran his hands through his hair.
The pair heard the camp before they saw it. Sounds of laughter, and loud conversations proliferated through the night as the members of the Rising Sun Sect celebrated the giants' defeat.
When the camp finally came into view, Lukes mouth dropped open in surprise as he saw Lukeus swaying drunkenly as he stood atop the giants foot, a mortal woman draped across his shoulder, and a bottle full of booze in his hand.
It was the most epic thing Ive ever imagined ever seeing! Lukeus lifted his bottle into the air. The crowd assembled before him cheered, seemingly impressed by his nonsensical speech, and lifted their own bottles in response.
Luke grinned at the spectacle, as he walked deeper into the camp.
Everywhere he went the Inner Disciples had assembled in small clumps, and were regaling their black-robed counterparts with already embellished accounts of what had happened. Who for their part were wearing looks of disappointment, realizing that they had not only missed the chance to see Elder Agnella fight the monster, but also how Arke stopped it in its tracks, and how Emperor Cyzicus had made short work of it.
Their voices sank to whispers as they recounted the events that took place after.
Did Lord Cyzicus really call her a mean lady? A blonde girl asked
He did, and she got angry, and then my face was in the dirt. She was so strong, but then Lord Cyzicus was like, I wont let you harm my citizens, even if it kills me, and he sounded so scary when he said it, and Arke flew away after that.
Youre telling the story all wrong, what really happened is Another Inner Disciple shook his head and interrupted them. Interjecting with his own, more correct, version of the story.
Do you have a spare tent for me? Luke asked.
You can sleep in that one Axin said pointing to an empty one in a group of filled ones. Its mine, but I dont need it for tonight. He patted Luke on the shoulder and walked away, with a pep in his step.
Luke followed him with his eyes as he made a beeline to a girl on the opposite side of the camp, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he realized why the tent had been offered so freely.
Settling into the tent, Luke called up his status.
| Skills | Quests | Inventory
Name: Lukas King
Tier: Mortal
Mana: 980 / 4648
Rate: 15% per hour
Strength: 109
Agility: 239
Constitution: 112
Arcana: 83
Stat Points: 0
Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)
Charges: 7/10
He frowned.
He suddenly realized.
He sighed softly as he subtly shifted his posture. Listening as the activity outside gradually began to lessen and silence overtook the night.
When he woke up, it was to the sound of excited screams and beating wings, as gusts of air rocked his borrowed tent.
He clutched his sword tightly, for a moment fearing it was Arke that had returned before deciding that the odds of that happening, while not zero, were low.
He thought to himself, as he got dressed. Already having an idea of what the commotion was.
Luke grinned at that thought, as he stepped out of the tent. A grin that only widened when his earlier suspicion was confirmed.
Lying lazily in the middle of the camp, was the most majestic creature he had ever seen. It was big, the size of an elephant, with golden wings tucked into its feline body, while its equally golden eagle-like head surveyed the crowd forming around it with curiosity.
Howd you get it to be so calm, Elder?
I made it my familiar. Nel answered absently, walking around it in a circle as she stroked its fur.
Luke thought to himself, as he inched closer to the warrior and her pet. His mind darted to the egg he had stored in his inventory, as he suddenly realized that he might have a use for it after all.
he thought grudgingly,
Luke, there you are! Nel called out to him, the second he made his way to the front of the crowd. Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the cat-bird as she parted the crowd and walked towards him.
Hi, He said, thats a nice cat you have there.
She grinned in response. I have something to tell you. Come. She led him out of the camp, and towards the river. I know I invited you to join the Rising Sun, but Grandfather has requested that you join him in the Capital.
What? Really?
Luke scoffed.
Its not what you're thinking. Your participation in the Olympics is still your choice, but he thinks that your potential will be wasted doing chores in the Rising Sun. You can refuse, and if you want to, join the Sect anyway. Grandfather isnt the type of person who forces others to obey his will.
Luke frowned as he considered her words.
Whats the Capital like?
Its the Capital. The Seat of his Power. Its big and they have plays and festivals almost everyday. Its lively. I dont know. Youll be fine there.
And theres really no pressure. I can just not go?
Yes. She sighed. Grandfather said he recognized your type. He wont force you, and he wont try and manipulate you either. Its why Im asking you and he isnt. So you wouldnt feel pressured.
Do you know what he wants from me? Luke asked.
She bit her lip. Im not sure, but, she hedged, Ive heard rumors that hes close to breaking through to the next tier, and its not only the winner of the tournament that gets a prize. She looked at him meaningfully.
Huh.
Nels eyes suddenly widened as she looked past Luke. Following her gaze, Luke was wholly unsurprised to find the Emperor standing behind him, idly smelling a rose.
So, what do you say? He asked.