Divine Apostasy Book 12 - Chapter 78

Chapter 78

“Lyra, touch one of those Bookmarks,” Ruwen said and then looked around at everyone else. “I’m going to grab all this loot so we can divide it later. I’d like to avoid the fight that arrives in four minutes. I want to catch up and plan.”

“Very wise,” Tremine said.

Ruwen stepped forward and hugged the old librarian. “I missed you.”

Tremine returned the hug and then turned to Kysandra. “Why don’t you ever greet me like that?”

Ky rolled her eyes and Ruwen laughed. He stepped over to Una and she tensed as he approached.

“Sorry,” Una said, “your armor reminds me of a dungeon full of walking dead I spent far too long exploring. It’s good to see you…or see your armor anyway.”

Una stepped forward and Ruwen hugged her.

“Sorry about not taking off my helmet,” Ruwen said, “but the library has locked my appearance to make it even easier for everyone to find me.”

Ruwen activated Survey which contained the constant updates Overlord’s scouts provided. He pulled all the loot into his Soul Vault as he strode toward a tunnel that led away from the oncoming groups. The bookmarks disappeared as Lyra grabbed them. He opened the leaderboard the System had provided and found Library of Fragments in the lead.

“We should merge groups,” Tremine told Ruwen as they strode down the passage.

Ruwen nodded and a moment later a Notification appeared.

Alliance Partner: Tremine Vellumir
Known Titles: Seal Breaker of the Three Courts, Librarian of Shadows, Keeper of the Banned

Status: Accomplice-of-Record in the Midnight Rescission, Master Librarian of Deepwell
Current Roles: Hand of Uru, Library of Inisfail Ink Lord

Alliance Type: Temporary Strategic Partnership
Duration: Until completion of Conclave objectives or at the request of either party.

Shared Objectives: Cooperation during all Conclave Library challenges, Exchange of knowledge, Mutual protection

Penalties: Punishment severity is proportional to alliance violation.

The Notification created hundreds of questions, but Ruwen bit his tongue. Now wasn’t the time. Tremine raised an eyebrow, likely thinking the same thing after seeing all Ruwen’s information. Tremine, Kysandra, Una, and Bliz appeared in Chat as Ruwen added them to the group.

“We need to find Ink Lord Numarrow,” Tremine said.

Ruwen stopped suddenly, causing Sift to curse and jump to the side to avoid a collision.

Tremine stopped and looked at Ruwen in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Ruwen shook his head and started down the tunnel again. Tremine didn’t know that Ruwen had killed the Ink Lord years ago when Numarrow had threatened Rami’s life.

“Why do we need him?” Ruwen asked.

“Numarrow memorized the library’s cross-indexes and mapped them in his head. He also discovered how Hidden Stacks invert their call numbers. The riddle the library gave us is a book hunt, and he’s probably already figured it out. Creating an alliance with him is in our best interest.”

“Why would he agree to that?”

“Because he’s a snake. Getting inside your defenses is an advantage he’ll leverage to betray us. Your emblem is worth a thousand points which almost guarantees victory here. He’ll find that irresistible.”

“He’s a terrible person?”

“That’s subjective,” Tremine said, “but he’s certainly greedy, selfish, secretive, arrogant, vindictive—”

Ruwen raised his hand, interrupting Tremine. “That makes me feel a lot better.”

Tremine showed his confusion. “Better about what?”

Go left when this tunnel opens into the stacks, Overlord told Ruwen.

Ruwen did as Overlord directed, not stopping to stare at the impossibly high shelves and the books and scrolls they held. Harmony revealed the expansion of Rami’s Superior Telescopic Touch, and he felt pressure in his head, like someone had jammed a finger into the back of his head.

Are you okay? Rami asked over their newly repaired bond.

Yeah, I just wonder how long the library will permit your unauthorized collecting. Can you even sort this flood of information?

Uruziel has found some Narrators to help.

Ruwen didn’t press the issue. He trusted Rami and Uruziel with his life and he had confidence Uruziel would proceed with enough caution for both her and Rami. His mind was Uruziel’s home after all.

Tremine repeated his question. “What do you feel better about?”

Ruwen cleared his throat, feeling like his twelve-year-old self who was about to get in trouble for sneaking into the restricted section of the library. “I met him once. During the Step Championship in Malth. Rami and I visited the library there.”

“That explains your reaction. I’m sure he was unbearable when you met him, but he’s also a genius who spent his life studying all the Conclaves. Did you insult him?”

Ruwen winced, although it was hidden behind his Ink Lord armor. “You don’t think we can figure out the riddle ourselves?”

“Of course we can,” Tremine said, “but I doubt we’d be first. Half the Ink Lords here are converging on you, but the other half are searching for Numarrow. The riddle only gets us to the final location. The real test will happen there. That’s where he’ll prove invaluable.”

Ruwen sighed.

Rami kept pace beside Ruwen, but she remained silent during the conversation.

Ruwen spoke to Rami over their bond. I think we should at least ask Echo. See what’s possible.

I know. I feel guilty. My greed got Numarrow killed. Even if he deserved it. The thought of—

Rami didn’t finish.

Ruwen pinched the bridge of his nose through the Ink Lord armor. He knew exactly how Rami felt.

“Why are you upset?” Tremine asked.

Ruwen dropped his hand and glanced at the librarian.

Tremine spoke softly. “You always do that when your overthinking makes you anxious.”

Even without seeing Ruwen’s face, Tremine could read him.

“One second,” Ruwen said. “I’ll explain but I need a bit more information.”

Ruwen opened a private Chat with Echo.

Hey, Ruwen said.

What do you want? Echo responded.

Can’t I just say hi?

Have you ever done that before?

Ruwen sighed again, causing Tremine to glance over, his forehead creasing in concern.

Okay, Ruwen admitted, you got me. I’m sorry about that. I can be a crap friend, just ask anyone here.

Ruwen heard Echo grind her teeth which made her response all the more surprising. No, I’m sorry. You have a lot going on, and I know you’re not the type to just use people. It’s going to take me a bit to adjust to all this. I need to remember I’m not in the Infernal Realm anymore.

Ruwen turned his head and looked at Echo, shocked by both her apology and admission of vulnerability. She avoided returning the look for a couple of seconds but finally glanced at him. He placed his hand over his fist and gave her a small nod, acknowledging what had just happened.

Echo’s cheeks flushed and Ruwen smiled to himself as he faced forward again.

So what do you want? Echo asked again.

Hypothetically, can you use your Death magic stuff to revive a person?

Like a resurrection?

That question caught Ruwen by surprise and he forced himself to keep walking this time. The situation had just become a lot more complicated. He pressed on, needing the info from Echo regardless.

Is what you do resurrection? I saw all the zombie things in the mountains. They didn’t look revived. How does it work?

After something dies, I need to wait a while before I can raise them as undead.

How long?

Varies, but usually around a minute.

And how normal are they? Do they keep their memories?

If I get to them quickly, yes, for the most part, but that window is small.

Numarrow had been dead for years, which meant he’d certainly be mindless. Almost all that time had been spent in Void Band storage though, and that seemed to stop time. Or at least slow it. Maybe he’d still be fresh.

Ruwen shook his head in disbelief that he’d just referred to a dead body like a piece of fruit.

Do you need anything to make this work? Ruwen asked Echo.

Just a body.

No incense or candles or complicated diagrams?

What do you think this is…one of Lylan’s spicy novels? I’m not summoning a demon with a big…nevermind. I don’t need anything but a body and my grimoire.

Okay, thanks. Give me a second and I’ll explain.

I can hardly wait.

Ruwen smiled at Echo’s sarcasm and opened a private channel with Hamma.

Hypothetically—

Hamma interrupted Ruwen. Oh, no. I hate your hypotheticals. First, they’re never hypothetical. And second, it’s what you say right before you explain some insane plan.

Hmmm, that’s true. How about this. If someone in our group died, how long would you have to resurrect them?

Uru help me, are you going to kill Echo?

Ruwen had to force himself not to turn and stare at Hamma. Why would I kill Echo?

I don’t know. It’s just I can sense her fear. She’s terrified of trusting anyone, and I don’t know why. Lylan and I are trying hard to help her, and if you kill her—

Ruwen cut Hamma off. I’m not killing anyone. I mean, not that I haven’t already. Certainly not anyone in our group.

That didn’t make any sense. Hamma continued, answering Ruwen’s original question. One minute. Around that. Any longer and they might revive but they’ll be missing memories.

Thanks. I’ll explain in a second.

Ruwen mechanically followed Survey as Overlord kept Ruwen’s map updated. He felt conflicted, and he worried that this situation had uncovered some callous part of himself. Had he already stumbled down the typical path of a god. One where they stopped caring about the wellbeing of others.

What’s wrong? Rami asked.

I never considered asking Hamma to revive Numarrow.

Why would you? He was clearly a bad person.

Okay, but I have considered making him a zombie.

A Zombie Ink Lord?

Yes.

I thought you were joking earlier. What would we do with him?

That’s not the point. The issue is I never thought about bringing him back alive. In fact, I’ve purposely kept him stored in my Void Band so he couldn’t resurrect in Izac’s temple tubs.

That was to protect your abilities and your friends.

I don’t need that now though.

You’re too hard on yourself. That man made his own bed, and his fate can wait until you’ve finished saving the universe. I think that gives you a pass on being a monster.

Ruwen considered Rami’s words. Maybe you’re right.

With all your problems, why do you continually borrow more from both the past, present, and future. You’re doing the best you can. Which is far more than anyone can rightfully expect. So stop overthinking this.

Ruwen could picture the older version of Rami standing on her massive grey pillar, hands on hips, scowling at him.

You sound more like your mom every day, Ruwen said.

Clip your wings, Rami hissed.

Rami mentally flicked Ruwen, and his skin prickled, causing him to shiver.

“Are you okay?” Tremine asked Ruwen yet again.

“Rami thinks so, and I’m just going to trust her.”

Ruwen let out a deep breath and continued. “Hypothetically—”

From behind Ruwen, Sift groaned and Bliz laughed.