Azarinth Healer - Chapter 939 Artifacts of old (Book 3 is out) (Patreon)

Thanks for the suggestions on the last azarinth post :). Oh and book 3 is out today on ebook and audio, will post about that later today as well.

Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 939 Artifacts of old

Ilea sighed deeply. She stood on the frozen sands of Erendar and watched the distant storms. She rolled her shoulders and smiled, stretching her arms before she clapped her hands together. “Alright. That’s one more battle done, one more city safe for the Accords.”

At this point I don’t think I can deny the impact I’ve had on the world. She grinned, trying to spot a distant Daughter of Sephilon. Erendar will be a target yet. Just… so much work. An entire moon cleared of spirits? Is that even possible? Maybe we can use the Source somehow? Or that’s what Ker Velor would say, wouldn’t he?

She decided to put the thought and potential task aside. She could chip away at the problem whenever she felt like it. Or really, she could go and fight four mark monsters whenever she felt like it, going all out. Mostly. The Meadow did warn her about using her full potential against the surface of a planet, or a moon in this case. And she was not about to permanently change the environment, even if what she saw on Erendar was just frozen sand.

Using her third tier of Transfer, she felt the space magic manifest before she changed locations in the fabric, appearing in the domain of the Meadow, former cave below Hallowfort and now the headquarters of the Accords.

“He, llo,” she exclaimed. “I’m back.”

“You are. Did you manage to convince the ancient smith to forget whatever work he’d been doing for thousands of years, to change sides and join us?” the Meadow sent into her mind.

Ilea looked at the crystal tree surrounded by black grass and floating fireflies. She crossed her arms, her voice serious again. “No. I’m afraid not. But he’s gone, and Paarah should now be safe to travel to.”

“I will inform Aki. Thank you, Ilea,” the Meadow sent. “How are you feeling?”

Ilea shrugged, teleporting next to the tree and sitting down. She summoned a meal and looked at it, closing her eyes a moment later to smell the herbs and spices. She shuddered, and sighed. “How do I feel? Good, all in all. Sad I think, and irritated with how things went. I know you were joking but I’m annoyed that he didn’t join us. I can literally heal old age by now, maybe you could’ve talked to him, or Aki could have.”

“I’m sure you tried what you could. We are here now, and we have another city to retake, another home for tens of thousands, made safe by you.”

“Yeah,” Ilea sent. She was quiet for some time before she started to eat in silence. Fighting Drakes used to be much less complicated than conflicts with ancient four mark beings, she mused, then focused back on the food. But this is how life is now, I suppose.

Maybe it’s been like that for a long while by now, and I’ve just been running from one thing to the next.

She’d needed a vacation after the Extraction and everything that had followed, but now? Now, maybe, she could enjoy the things she’d built. The places she’d gotten to know, the friends she’d made. Cheesy, eh? She smiled to herself. The thought might’ve annoyed her a few years back but now? She found that it felt right, it felt good.

“You seem to have come to a realization,” the Meadow sent.

“So perceptive,” Ilea sent back and stood up, storing the empty plate in her domain. Storage inside of her soul or some shit. She dismissed the stray thought and hugged the crystal tree. “I think I love you, Meadow.”

“I’m not sure what to say. Procreation is still not something that is possible between the two of us, at least to my knowledge.”

“Love is so much more than procreation, ancient tree. And you know that,” she said with a grin and stepped away. “I’m glad I got you back from Erendar. It’s a wasteland out there.”

“I’m sure it is. I and Aki are preparing potential machines to gather data on the moon. For the future.”

“I’ll be happy to help, whenever it comes up,” Ilea said and quickly looked through the items she’d gotten from the Sanguerrihn. “Hey, Meadow. Is Goliath around?”

“Yes. He is working in his smithy. Do you want me to send a message to him?”

“Nono. I’ll check up on him myself. Thanks, and let me know if anything else comes up. Happy to help out,” she sent, tapped the tree, and made her way to the section of the ancient cavern that her Awakened smith friend had claimed for himself.

One of the items she’d taken from Savien was a fit.

Maybe something to give back, after all the armor he’s made for me in the past. Oh. I should check with the Meadow first, just in case.

She explained the situation quickly and had the ancient tree check the enchanted items for any residual curses or other adverse effects. Other than the storage ring, none of the items were inherently dangerous to the person who would use them, at least if they didn’t aim anything at themselves. Ilea left the ring with the Meadow for the time being, to let it check everything that was inside.

Taking the rest with her, she made her way through the black grass and past a few buildings that had been added to the domain of the Meadow. The structures that had once just been simple housing to accommodate her friends and then scholars wishing to meet the Meadow had changed quite a bit, different architectural inspirations from throughout the Plains and even Marrindayne and Verleyna added to the cavernscape. Silver and gold adorned steel balconies, stone and wooden walls. The place had changed into a small settlement, an extension to Hallowfort above, she supposed.

Ilea soon found the section claimed by Goliath, stone walls marked with warnings of incredible heat. She did however not feel the aura he exuded at all times, likely something the Meadow or Iana had taken care of with various enchantments inlaid into the walls of his compound.

She went to the main entrance, a large door made entirely of bronze, a large cross section like depiction carved into the metal with incredible care. At the top was the northern landscape, Hallowfort below, then the ancient corridors now mostly reclaimed by the Accords. At the center was the domain of the Meadow, and then followed an artistic interpretation of the various layers of the Descent.

That was something. And it was where I met Violence, Ilea remembered fondly. I guess I should thank Vor for all those levels I got in that artificial dungeon. To think he would turn out the way he did after that first initial meeting. Fucker nearly killed me. Would he have killed me if Violence hadn’t been there?

Maybe.

Probably.

He did hate people fucking with his facilities.

She knocked on the door, the sound that emanated was far more complex than she would’ve expected from a bronze door. It sounded almost as if glass was struck.

An orange light flared up where the tree of the Meadow was depicted, the light quickly spreading in a web-like pattern until much of the door was glowing. A thin web formed and pieces of metal started shifting, the bronze moving away with mechanical precision and a smooth sound of moving steel. The entrance was open, and beyond Ilea could see the insides of a massive workshop. A dozen  forges in different shapes, several pools of lava or molten metals, stacked ingots reflecting the fiery light in differing colors, and strewn between, racks full of creations, some simple weapons, others in shapes and forms that Ilea couldn’t place at all.

She went in and found the being of black metal and smoke floating above a workstation, glowing golden eyes focused on a lump of sparkling silver-like metal. The door shut behind her.

Ilea walked next to the smith and looked at the lump as well. “Found something cool?”

Goliath twitched, as if woken from a trance. “Ilea! Lilith, goddess of ash, how are you?”

She smiled. “I’m good. Did you find something cool?”

“Cool? Oh, yes it is not very warm, an interesting mesh of metals, or perhaps an entirely new metal in itself. Taken back from one of the destroyed facilities of the Architect. I am to study it.”

“Maybe from another realm entirely?”

“Indeed, that is a possibility.” Goliath turned to face her. “What may I help you with?”

Ilea smiled up at the floating being. “I got something that might be of interest to you. A tool.” She summoned the Fury of the Sanguerrihn, the mythical artifact looking much like a simple silver hammer. Ilea understood that much like the Azarinth Star, the hammer had an inherent mythical skill that could be trained, one related to smithing and fire.

Goliath’s golden eyes went wide before he moved his head closer. “No… this is, relic of the Cursed one. You have found it?”

“I have found him,” Ilea said.

“Oh. He has perished then? The ancient monster.”

“He has,” Ilea said.

Goliath sighed, the sound drawn out. “The world is freed of his curse. That is good news. This hammer. It is a tool unmatched by anything I know or have known. Its new wielder must be chosen with foresight and wisdom, knowing its empowering capabilities.”

“You should have it,” Ilea said.

Goliath reeled back. “Me? No. I am but the humble smith of Hallowfort. I am no master of creation. This tool would forge armor and weapons for queens and kings, for heroes and conquerors.”

“Yes. Exactly. You should have it,” Ilea said and smiled.

He locked eyes with her.

“You used to make my armor, Goliath. You were the best smith of Hallowfort. Now you’re the best smith of the Meadow Accords. Like the carved depiction on the entrance to your workshop, you’re at the center of this new alliance, and anyone who would wield or wear any of your creations will feel honored. And this tool, will help you improve even more. I’m sure of it.”

Goliath looked as if he took in a deep breath, then he hovered down and bowed before her. “Very well, Lilith, myth of ash and healing. If you will bestow me with this artifact, I shall work to do it justice.” He raised his arms.

Ilea placed the hammer down and smiled. “I know you will. Not much of a legend to beat either, to be honest. Nearly everything is better than making city wiping cursed items. You’ll do great.”

“With this, I’ll be able to work on dragon-scale with ease,” Goliath said, his eyes sparkling before he turned and glanced at the silver lump of metal. “Hmm.”

And he’s gone, Ilea thought as he turned and started hovering over to the rock. “You’re not taken over by a curse or something, right?”

He glanced back. “No, I am very much present, Ilea. Thank you, for this incredible gift and burden. Now, I would like to work.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” Ilea said and left. Burden. Hmm. I guess it would be, if he thinks of it that highly. Power and responsibility.

She checked the numerous remaining items from the Sanguerrihn and wondered who she should gift the rest to.

I could use everything myself. But where’s the fun in that?

Even if some of the items could improve her overall power, the impact on anyone at a lower level would be far more significant.

Now, who’s next?

She checked through her marks and found her target.

“Trian, my man. I might have something for you, are you busy?” she sent through her mark.

“I’m always busy these days. But I can make time for you, in my office. Give me two minutes.”

Ilea spread her wings and flew up, using her vastly improved eyes to watch the going-ons in the domain of the Meadow. For more or less two minutes, then she focused on Trian’s mark and teleported straight to him, into his office in Ravenhall.

Ilea crossed her arms as she appeared standing a meter away from Train, her space magic preventing complete and utter destruction of floor was second nature by now. She teleported past his desk and waved. “Hello.”

He breathed in deep and smiled, leaning back in his large leather chair. “It’s good to see you.”

Ilea noted the smell of freshly brewed tea. It smelled along the lines of mint. She glanced at the stacks of books and papers on Trian’s desk and raised her brows. “You too. Good work begets more work, hmm?”

He smiled. “Of course. As long as it’s meaningful and at least somewhat bearable, I’ll gladly do it. You came for a reason, I understand? Not that you have to have a reason to visit.”

“Just wanted to say. But yes. I’ve fought the Sanguerrihn. And I’ve taken the artifacts he’d used.”

“The four mark curse dwarf you met before in Paarah. I see. So the Accords have decided to take the city. I do wonder if that sets a bad precedent,” he murmured.

“A precedent of invasion? I don’t think so, Trian. Nobody lived in Paarah. And Savien is not exactly an innocent bystander. But more importantly, here. You did mention feeling a little disadvantaged compared to the healers you’re training.” She summoned the Heart of Mira. A divine quality item with an associated healing skill.

Trian received the silver amulet and looked it over. “Ilea… this is… divine?”

“Claim it, tell me what it does,” Ilea said with a smile.

He put it on, his eyes going wide a moment later. “It’s, a healing skill. First stage, which means I can maybe level it up. Ilea, this is, are you sure I’m the right person to receive this?”

“Yes. And once you’ve leveled it to the max, you can go out there and hunt some Soul Rippers, hit five-hundred, and then have a bout with me. It’s been too long since you’ve been even a slight challenge for me. I miss those early bouts.”

“You mean when we were damn near killing each other?”

“Exactly. The good old times. Now, I’ve got a few more items to give away but one I thought might be cool to give to a Sentinel,” she said and summoned The Hammer of Dawn. Yet another divine quality item. The Sanguerrihn really had quite the collection.

I’ll have to get some mythic stuff of my own as well. And when someone finally manages to take me down, they’ll be crushed by all the shit that pops out of my spacial storage domain. She snickered to herself at the thought, not that she planned to lose a fight.

She showed the silver bracer to Trian.

“Not a hammer,” he said and glanced at her.

“I didn’t name the stuff.”

“It lets you create and throw arcane lightning?”

“Yes. He did use that one a few times. Not nearly enough damage to scratch me but it looks really fucking cool,” Ilea said and gave him a thumbs up.

“It… looks cool. Well, I’m sure everyone will be clamoring to get an artifact donated by Lilith herself,” Trian said. “Do you mind who gets it? We could hold a tournament or something. I get at least two requests for more tournaments per week. It’s frankly frustrating. People seem to really love tournaments.”

“You don’t?” Ilea asked. She hadn’t thought about it in a while but most of the tournaments she’d attended in Elos had come with one disaster or the other. The one in Riverwatch when Elves attacked. The Shadow tournament where Adam summoned a bunch of demons. At least her self-organized tournament went without much of an issue, other than Hector’s behavior.

“I just feel there are more important things to focus on in life than one tournament and then the next and the next and the next.”

“People like the drama, I guess? Who will win this time? Who trained the hardest? And it’s a reason for people to work hard, a goal. But yeah, why not have it be given to the winner of a tournament. That works.”

“I’ll have Aki, Orthan, and Sidney set something up. With challenges that prevent the highest level person to just win everything,” Trian said, tapping a button below his desk.

A Centurion entered the office in the same moment.

“I’ll get back to you. With how everyone has been itching for this, I don’t expect the wait to be long.”

Ilea nodded. “Aki, can you invite Cless and Violence to the tournament?”

“A tournament? So that’s what this is about. You finally agreed, Trian?”

Trian sighed.

“I’ll prepare the invitations. You might want to handle Violence, Ilea, it’s not exactly easy to contact for me.”

“Will do,” Ilea said. “And I’ll come and watch with Felicia, let’s chat later to make sure she has time.”

“Do you want to participate yourself?” Aki asked.

Ilea smiled. “No, but I can deliver the prize to the winner. Dramatically.”