Rise of the Living Forge - Chapters 489-490 (Patreon)

“Wait,” Two said suddenly, holding a hand up before Eleven could move to open a path back to the Devil’s Den. “Before you go. There’s one th

“Wait,” Two said suddenly, holding a hand up before Eleven could move to open a path back to the Devil’s Den. “Before you go. There’s one thing.”

Arwin tilted his head to the side. His body still felt a little odd to him. It was a curious sensation, to simultaneously feel like he was walking around in someone else’s body and yet also be absolutely confident that he had never been more himself.

“What is it?”

“Don’t tell Lillia about the truth behind Sunsetting. Not until she’s done it herself,” Two said. “Expectations can cause trouble with the process. It’s better to go into it entirely blind.”

“Do you think there’s a chance it won’t be as smooth for her as it was for me?” Arwin asked, hesitating slightly as a frown crossed his lips. “We’re in the same situation, aren’t we?”

It was a moment before Two responded.

“Not entirely,” Two said. “I don’t know if anyone is in the same situation as you, Arwin. You were a Hero. That means you weren’t from this planet at all. Such a thing on its own would be sufficient to potentially change things. There are a great many variables to Sunsetting. Even the slightest shift can be enough to cause immense differences. That is why it is vital to approach this cautiously.”

“Yeah,” Arwin said. He certainly wasn’t going to argue with Two about that. Even though Setting Sun had been taking big steps to redeem their trustworthiness in his eyes, the one thing he had absolutely no plans of ever taking unnecessary risks with was the lives of anyone within the Menagerie. That went doubly so for Lillia. “I’m still warning her of the danger, though. I’ll avoid specifics.”

“That is wise.” Two nodded. “And one more thing. I am certain there are others within your guild that you wish to Sunset. They will not be like you and Lillia. It is vital that they understand this.”

“I’ll make sure they do. There are—”

“You don’t understand,” Two said. “You and Lillia — you have been through this already. The others in your guild have not. They will be required to follow the exact same preparations as all in our guild do. That is not some simple training. It is weeks if they are naturally gifted. Months, if not more, if they are not.”

“Don’t underestimate my guild,” Arwin said. “They will succeed.”

“Of which I have no doubt,” Two said. “But you will choose one of them. Only one. I cannot safely train more than that. Most of the people we Sunset are far more experienced than your team. They will remain here until they have either finished their preparations and Sunsetted… or they have failed.”

Arwin studied Two for a moment. The other man’s handsome features were dead serious. But, if Two had been expecting Arwin to be mad at the delay, then he was about to be sorely disappointed.

“Only a fool would protest someone’s caution when safety is on the line,” Arwin said. “I maintain that the Menagerie will surprise you — but I’m not going to demand that you put the people I care about in danger. I will choose one.”

Two inclined his head, then glanced in Eleven’s direction. At some point during their conversation, she had melted to the ground and curled into a ball, crossing her arms beneath her head and using one of Two’s feet as a pillow. The look on his face made it clear that this was not the first time it had happened.

“Eleven,” Two said. “Take him.”  

The woman shifted. One eye poked out from beneath her bed of long, messy hair. She glared up at him.

“Eleven,” she mocked, stretching her arms out — still laying down — and letting out a long yawn. “Take him. Eleven. Go ferry people around again. Eleven. Wake up. Eleven. Go spy on someone so we make sure the world doesn’t end. Eleven. Go do more work.”

“Those… are rather reasonable requests,” Two observed. “It is your job, woman. We pay you. Well.”

“Pah,” Eleven grumbled. “But you know what you don’t pay me with? Sleep.”

“I’ll get your bed ready for you if you head out now,” Two offered, crouching down so he could grab her beneath the arms. She hung like a limp bedsheet in his hand as he hoisted her up along with himself and plopped her down feet-first.

Eleven slumped over. Two caught her before she could drop right back to the ground. He glared at her.

“Stop that. Did you forget you broke your nose the last time you did this?”

“It got me out of work for a day.”

“That was only because Three was out on a job,” Two said. He brushed Eleven’s hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear to keep it from flopping back in front of her eyes again. “Come on. I’ll warm your pillow in the volcano so it’s nice and toasty for you.”

Eleven’s eyes lit up. “Done.”

She spun back to Arwin, grabbing him by the arm. “We’re heading back to kidnap your girlfriend. You ready?”

“I don’t know if kidnapping is the word I would—”

The rest of Arwin’s sentence was lost in a whirl of crackling gray as a portal formed beneath their feet, swallowing them whole.

Arwin barely even had a moment to process what had happened before he slammed down in the Devil’s Den, a word still halfway formed on his lips. He stumbled, his eyes going wide in surprise.

Eleven had formed a portal in mere instants. But when she’d taken him out of the Devil’s Den just a short while ago, it had taken her several seconds to create one. It didn’t look like she’d had any special aid to make it easier the second time around.

Holy shit. That means she’s literally capable of nearly instantly forming portals across what must be pretty massive distances without even blinking, and the only thing holding her back is the fact that she’s painfully lazy. Just how powerful is Eleven?

Reya, who sat at the table across from them, started. She blinked in surprise, nearly losing her grip on a bread roll she’d been snacking on.  

Eleven’s eyes flicked over Arwin’s shoulder. He turned just as the door to the kitchen swung open and Lillia strode out of it, her eyes locking onto Arwin instantly. Even though she’d definitely been able to sense his return from the instant he’d set foot on the grounds of the tavern, a look of relief passed through her eyes.

“You’re back!” Lillia exclaimed. “Are you okay? Did it work?”

“It worked,” Arwin said. There were a dozen more things that he wanted to say. He said none of them. Two’s warning still rung in his head, and so he settled for the simplest answer he could give. “I Sunset my class. It’s possible to do it again.”

“And?” Lillia asked eagerly. “Is it—”

“Everything and more,” Arwin said. He took her by the shoulders. “I can’t even begin to describe it. The only way to really understand is to do it yourself. I’ve learned more than I can say right now.”

“And Setting Sun?” Lillia asked, not even caring that Eleven was standing right next to them.

“They… aren’t our enemies,” Arwin said. “That’s all I can say for certain. But they’re on the same side that we are. They want to stop the Guild.”

“Weren’t you meant to warn her that there could be some big risks?” Eleven asked, her portal still buzzing on the ground beside her. “There are risks that come with Sunsetting. The difficulty is immense.”

“It is based off willpower,” Arwin said. “Is it not?”

“Well… largely,” Eleven admitted. “But—”

“Then Lillia will have absolutely no trouble,” Arwin said simply. “Even if the challenge is a thousand times what I faced. She’ll be able to Sunset her class. There’s just no doubt in my mind about it, so any warning would be worthless. I wouldn’t believe the words coming out of my own mouth.”

Lillia’s cheeks reddened. “What, did Sunsetting your class somehow turn you into a flirt?”

Arwin’s own face heated and he coughed into a fist. “I’m just a bit loopy. Ignore me.”

“Oh, no. Keep going. I don’t think I asked you to stop, did I?” Lillia sent him a sly smile.

“Bleh,” Eleven said. “Stop that. It’s making me feel lonely and disgusted at the same time, and the only thing I want to be feeling at all is the sweet, loving embrace of my toasted pillow. Get your purple ass into the portal.”

Lillia arched an eyebrow.

Eleven cleared her throat. She blushed and averted her gaze. “Sorry. I’m just excited about my pillow.”

“Hold on,” Arwin said. He glanced at Reya. “I need to figure out who the other—”

“Do it after her,” Eleven said. “I can’t hold this portal forever. This Tavern doesn’t like me breaking into it. Makes things difficult.”

“I’ll let everyone know.” Reya gave Arwin a thumbs-up and stuffed the last of her bread roll into her mouth, swallowing it in one bite. “Anything we should do?”

“Thanks, Reya.” Arwin gave her an appreciative nod. “Could you have everyone gather here in the evening? We’ll all need to have a talk.”

“On it.” Reya gave him a sharp salute.

“Purple ass is going into the portal,” Lillia reported. She stepped forward, dropping into the gray disk and vanishing.

Eleven stared at it for a moment grimaced. “I hope she doesn’t tell anyone else about that.”

Arwin clapped Eleven on the shoulder. “White ass going into the portal.”

“Oh, come on—”

The rest of her sentence was swallowed by the crackle of magic as Arwin stepped back into the portal by Eleven’s feet, vanishing through it to follow Lillia back over to the Setting Sun’s hideout.

It was time for the Demon Queen to Sunset her class.

Chapter 490

Two grabbed Arwin as he emerged from the portal, moving him away from the gray disc of energy in the ground to make sure he didn’t just drop right back into it and fall back into the Devil’s Den.

Lillia already stood to his side. She’d clearly already picked up on the increased temperature in the air, and her nose twitched as the scent of sulfur welcomed them both to the Setting Sun’s base.

“You must be Lillia,” Two said. He sent a sharp look at Eleven as she emerged from the portal behind Arwin. “We should have formed the portal back at the Leyline, not here.”

“She’ll see both of the places soon enough anyway,” Eleven said through a yawn. “I’m going to go lie down while I wait. I can’t be bothered to watch another one of these. It just makes me feel old and unessessary.”

“You’re younger than I am,” Two said.

Eleven didn’t reply. She just flopped to the ground like a cat basking in the sun. Two suppressed a sigh and picked her up, slinging the woman over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She didn’t even flinch.

“I’m sorry about this,” Two said. “She’s been very busy lately.”

“And you are?” Lillia asked. “Not One. I’d imagine he’d have more presence. But that armor you’re wearing…”

The man winced. “Ah. Yes. My name is Two. I suppose Arwin hasn’t had a chance to fill you in on what we’ve discussed. Today has been moving very quickly, and I’ve become more scatter-brained than I normally am. I apologize.”

“Could that be due to the fight it looks like you were in earlier?” Lillia asked, her gaze boring into Two’s skull like a pair of daggers. “It doesn’t look like you won.”

Two’s eyes flicked to Arwin. Then he sighed. “Nobody won. I suggest we handle this matter first. I will explain as much as you would like once it is completed.”

Lillia’s eyes turned from Two to Arwin. He inclined his head slightly.

“Fine,” Lillia said, but something about her tone made it abundantly clear that she’d pieced together a fair bit more than she was letting on. She didn’t press on the matter farther. She just gave Two a nod. “Let’s see what this Sunsetting thing is about, then. After how Arwin showed up looking, I would be lying to say I wasn’t curious.”

Two simply nodded. He started back off toward the passageway that led into the Setting Sun’s stone halls. Arwin and Lillia followed after him.

“I specifically requested that Arwin refrain from telling you about the events that happened during his Sunsetting,” Two said as they stepped out from under the sun’s glare and made their way into the hallway leading up to the Leyline. “This process is incredibly delicate. We submerse you in a direct connection to the Mesh. It reduces the resistance between your body and magic, making it easier to meld and modify your abilities when you properly Sunset your class.”

 “That sounds like it would be fairly intensive,” Lillia observed. She sent a glance at Arwin. “So this isn’t even fully Sunsetting yet? It’s just the preparations for it?”

“Sunsetting is step two.” Two glanced to Lillia while they walked. “But the preparations are the hard part. It’s instrumental that you’re properly prepared before entering the Mesh. It can be a grueling experience.”

Lillia nodded her understanding. She didn’t look too concerned about her prospects, though. “I see. And after these preparations?”

“You will Sunset your class,” Two said simply. “It would be best if I refrained from giving you more information on the topic for now. The more you know, there more there will be to distract you. This is the same process we go through with everyone that attempts to Sunset their class.”

“You do this often, then?” Lillia asked. “How many people are running around with Sunsetted classes? It feels like something that might be worth being worried about.”

Two came to a stop as they drew up to the Leyline room. The door was closed once again, but Arwin’s skin still tingled at the memory of the intense beam of golden light. Another massage sounded rather nice — but it was Lillia’s turn.

And I don’t get the feeling that plunging myself back into a concentrated blast of Mesh is a wise choice. Especially not after I just got my class scrambled and fixed up. No reason to go kicking what works.

“No. We don’t do this often at all,” Two said, resting a hand on the door. “From our best understanding, there should be less than thirty people with Sunsetted classes. We were under the impression that Mask was one of them, but Arwin reported otherwise.”

“Depends. Are people with a Sunsetted class strong?” Lillia asked.

“Generally,” Two said. “It is an immense boon. I would prefer to avoid saying more than that until you have completed the preparations.”

“Don’t need to,” Lillia replied. “I saw a large portion of Mask’s status when we were… ah, dealing with him. He wasn’t anything special. Just a tool for the guild. No stronger than many other adventurers I’ve seen.”

“Then he wasn’t Sunsetted,” Two said. He nodded to the door. “But he no longer matters. Not right now. Are you ready to begin? You are in good health?”

“…yes?” Lillia said, studying Two suspiciously.

The man nodded.

Then he turned his full attention to the door and set his other palm upon its surface. Dim light ignited within the stone. It scrawled across the door in glowing veins to quickly cross over its entire surface. A distant click rang out and the door swung open without another sound.

Even though Arwin was expecting the searing light that waited beyond, it still wasn’t quite the same as seeing it again. He raised a hand before his face, his teeth gritting, as molten yellow drove into his skull.

Lillia let out a startled hiss. She threw both of her hands up before herself and took a step back, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before prying them open to squint through her fingers at the immense radiance illuminating the room before them.

“It’s… beautiful,” Lillia whispered. She blinked heavily, then grimaced. “And rather uncomfortable. Do you have some shades?”

“It is the Mesh in its purest form,” Two said. “The preparations to Sunset your class are simple in theory. Simply sit upon the chair for as long as you feel yourself able to. You will feel your magic shifting and changing as the weaknesses and imperfections in it are softened and made pliable. Do not push yourself beyond your limits. Most of those I know have required great amounts of training to endure the Leyline.”

Lillia sent a glance at Arwin. “How was it?”

“Nice,” Arwin admitted.

Lillia snorted. “Of course it was. How long do I have to sit up there?”

“For as long as it takes you to feel the changes stop,” Two replied. “But just because it was straight-forward for Arwin doesn’t mean it will be the same for you. Caution is imperative.”

“He sounds like Rodrick. Just stuffier and more arrogant,” Lillia said with a shake of her head. “Anything else that I absolutely need to know before I walk in there?”

“Well… no,” Two admitted. “But—”

“Give me a second, would you?” Lillia asked, raising a hand to stop him once it became apparent that he didn’t have any new information to add. “I’ll be right back.”

Then she strode into the room without another word.

Despite Arwin’s confidence in Lillia, his stomach couldn’t help but twist in anticipation as she ascended the twisting hill leading up to the chair suspended within the Leyline’s light. He knew Lillia was strong. Just as strong as him if not more.

But logic wasn’t a key factor in his thoughts at the moment. There could always be differences. Things could always go awry. Nobody could know the future for sure. That said… this was still Lillia.

He knew her well. About as well as he knew himself. And if there was one thing that he could say with absolute certainty, it was that Lillia wasn’t going to get taken out by a fancy beam of light no matter how much of the Mesh’s energy was packed into it.

Lillia reached the top of the twisted stone hill and stepped into the Leyline proper, turning as she lowered herself into the chair. Her back stiffened and her hands tightened into fists as she took her place.

For whatever reason, the light seemed to hurt her a lot more than it had him. But the pain didn’t make it to her face. The former Demon Queen’s features were flat like they had been carved from stone. Her jaw didn’t even clench.

Even as they watched, Lillia’s hands opened. She unfurled her fingers one by one to force them to rest in a casual upon against the stone. And then, bathed in the golden light and looking down at them like some monarch from ancient times, she waited.

A part of Arwin felt like he was more concerned than she was. There was something immensely frustrating and helpless about just sitting around and doing nothing while Lillia was in pain. And she was in pain — even if her features didn’t allow even the faintest flicker of it to show through them. He could see it in the depths of her eyes and in the flick of her tail behind her.

But this wasn’t his fight. It was Lillia’s, and no matter how much worry he felt, he had absolute faith that she would win it. Any attempts to do anything at all wouldn’t be anything more than an insult.

Thus, as the seconds ticked by to turn into minutes, Arwin waited, watched, and Lillia endured the Mesh.