Chapter 376. Lake Adrian

From where he bobbed on the Illyrian Ocean’s surface, Ian focused on the rift, Euryphel’s last words echoing in his ears. Good luck... and well done. His mind was in a daze, but he compartmentalized, Beginning helping him to maintain perfect control over his own army of constructs.

He watched as one of his elite necromantic mannequins punched Achemiss’s shield, not expecting it to actually break through. But it did.

Inside, the mannequin found Achemiss mid-collapse. The necromancer’s barrier fell apart, and the constructs within and without the rift shuddered, then stopped. Around Ian, the worm-like corpses curled up and floated in the water.

The unnatural, disembodied appendage formerly holding up Maria disintegrated into a red sludge, letting the lich free. Before she even hit the sand, she drew a hand to her ear. A burst of superheated fire consumed her.

And then she reappeared next to him. Ian pulled her into an embrace, barely registering what had just happened. How had it been so easy? “Maria,” he breathed, “you... you killed him?”

She pulled away. He saw her serious expression and alarm coursed through him. At once, he went about re-establishing the lich bond. It only took a second before Maria’s mental voice returned.

Ian, Achemiss is not dead. I can sense his End arrow.

How did Achemiss keep coming back? He’d thought it might have been a one-time thing before, some kind of life-saving treasure, but a second time?

You need to follow my End arrows and converge every construct you have on his location.

Ian couldn’t literally see End arrows, even when using the vambraces that were part of Maria’s regalia, the ones that let him use her End affinity directly to create arrays. Still, she could generally convey where they were. There was one key problem–Maria might see an End arrow leading to Achemiss, but without adequate perspective, that would only tell her a direction. She couldn’t discern where it terminated.

His mind raced as his Beginning affinity considered the problem at hand. How far is your range again? he asked.

I’m not sure at this point, but it’ll have to be far enough, especially with ascendant energy empowering me. I see you’re thinking what I’m thinking.

You need a better vantage point. He tapped his shoulder. Which way does the arrow point, so I can start sending my constructs the right way?

She raised an eyebrow before maneuvering onto his back as he ascended from the water. Her Sun affinity heated them, drying the wet better than the whipping wind of their passage. When they were fifty feet up, fire exploded behind Maria’s feet.

Why did I even ask? Ian said. East, huh?

East.

They flew until the air deserted them. No normal End practitioner, even at the peak, should have such a far range, spanning the entire planet stretching out before them. But Maria was an ascendant, even if a false one. Her body flared with power as she flooded it with ascendant energy, her eyes turning a brilliant glaring white.

I see it, she thought, her hands grasping his body tightly. I see where it terminates. And through the connection, she did her best to show him.

He led them both down, targeting the point she highlighted on the globe. He thought he knew where it was pointing, even if he found it difficult to believe. As they bore closer, he gradually saw a large lake come into view, one that served as the quiet grave of an empire. 

It was Lake Adrian, the site of the most secure research and development facility on the planet, one housing an Infinity Loop of its own–and a current target of the Darkseers’ sabotage.

“Euryphel,” Ian said, reopening the quantum channel. “Do you know Achemiss’s location?”

“Yes. Even if I redirected my attention to those who needed my help more, I still kept tabs on you with the occasional scenario.”

“Is Achemiss in the lake, or just near it?” Ian asked.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that. Achemiss spawns inside the facility we’re currently attacking–one that’s just entered lockdown. Unfortunately I didn’t put two and two together until it was slightly too late to react in the real world.”

Ian had so many questions, but knew now wasn’t the time to indulge them. “How should we enter the facility?”

“I wouldn’t,” Euryphel said. “Achemiss likely respawned in the same place as the last time you killed him. At least you seem to think so, in my scenarios. You mention something about a false phylactery. Regardless, if he escaped from Lake Adrian last time, he’ll escape again. And when he does, you’ll be waiting.”

“Tell everyone to be extremely careful,” Ian said. “Achemiss can turn living people into puppets, preserving their affinities. I don’t know what state he’s in currently, but he’ll likely be vulnerable and in need of powerful thralls.”

“The message has been relayed. For now, just wait until Maria sees his arrow emerge. The compound’s interior is... not worth walking into. Three Regret practitioners and we’re still struggling to avoid detection while advancing toward the targets.”

Ian could only imagine how hard it would be to complete the sabotage operation if the entire research compound locked down.

“Is the lockdown somehow related to Achemiss?” Ian asked.

“It happened a little beforehand, so it’s unlikely, but I can’t rule it out. They shouldn’t have a Regret practitioner with a longer scenario length than me, Kaiwen, and Orion Iucorsu, but this is the most well-secured research facility in the world. If technology exists that magnifies how far a Regret practitioner can see, it would be here.”

Ian hadn’t heard of anything like that in Eternity, but he supposed it wouldn’t be as significant of a breakthrough when ascendants could create artifacts and boost their power through ascendant energy.

Ian relayed Euryphel’s intel to Maria, who took it in stride. We’ll wait for him to emerge–and if his End arrow disappears again, I’ll hunt him with the compass.

What if he dies again, only to reappear within the research facility? Ian’s Beginning, limited though it was, placed that probability at around 75%, especially when Euryphel brought up the phylactery angle. That had been enough for his Beginning to make connections that previously proved elusive.

Having perceived Achemiss’s resurrected body through his constructs and partly through Maria’s memories, Ian suspected this Achemiss was fundamentally different from the one he’d assassinated. And not just different... Crude.

It had been a mystery to Ian how Achemiss had survived.

What if he hadn’t?

Achemiss had looked down on Soolemar for becoming quasi-lich, embracing a form of immortality that barred him from an ascension trial. Wouldn’t it be a precious sort of irony if, leading up to his own ascension trial, Achemiss, ever terrified of death, prepared a backup plan? A vessel, one that would snare his soul if he ever died, ensuring he lived on in undeath?

Cue the ultimate irony–the backup plan established over a thousand years ago activating when Achemiss returned and died, bringing him back as a lich-like existence. A fitting fate for one so obsessed with protecting and preserving his human body.

The more Ian thought about it, the more he inwardly laughed, filled with schadenfreude. Not only had Achemiss lost his true body, but he’d been stuffed into a vessel his un-ascended, unenlightened self from a thousand years had prepared.

Better than nothing, certainly. But Ian could imagine the depths of Achemiss’s rage when the man had first reformed and realized what had occurred. When Achemiss had realized that Ancient Black—Ian Dunai—had won. Element of surprise or not, Ian had successfully assassinated him.

Ian could grudgingly appreciate Achemiss’s mental resilience. Whatever cocktail of emotions he had felt after dying and losing his many void storages and artifacts, he’d acted with noteworthy haste to secure a hideaway.

Of course, this was speculation... but with Beginning, it was more than that, much like Regret wasn’t exactly like looking into the future. Neither was foolproof.

Ian decided to trust his Beginning affinity’s prediction and his own gut. If Achemiss were a lich-like existence with a phylactery, it meant that Achemiss’s vessel was located within the research facility, and every time they killed him, he’d come back in the same place. In which case, what should they do?

We’ll have to go in and assist, then, Maria thought. The only way such a scenario ends is if we destroy his vessel–his phylactery–right?

Right.

That’ll be trickier to pull off, Maria replied. His End arrow will point to his body, not the phylactery. The only time we’ll get a clear read will be right after he reforms.

“Euryphel,” Ian said over quantum channel, “who are the agents within the facility? I know Kaiwen, Iucorsu, and the ascendant.”

“Druni as well,” the Crowned Executor said. “Because you’re going to ask–the ascendant’s affinities are Sun and Death, primarily being a fire elementalist. I only found out because of his courtesy name, Deathflame.”

Ian paused. This was the first he’d heard about the ascendant having a Death affinity. That... opened up options. Maria and Ian’s constructs should enter the research facility regardless, but Ian didn’t like their chances at locating a lich’s phylactery. A proper Death affinity–and training in necromancy–would be important to locate it, assuming that Achemiss didn’t have a way to take it with him. Ian didn’t think so–if Achemiss could move the phylactery, he’d certainly have already brought it away to somewhere less... conspicuous.

This returned ascendant would have a much higher chance at locating the phylactery. Deathflame would, of course, be taking on a lot of risk doing that. One wrong move and he’d be truly dead, unlike Maria.

He’s returned to our home world for a reason, Ian thought. Probably to die, but I can’t know that. My return beacon is two way–who’s to say this ascendant doesn’t have a way back to Eternity?

Deathflame had signed up for a mission infiltrating and sabotaging a research facility, not facing off against a powerful Dark and Death dual-affinity ascendant. Achemiss would absolutely not go down without a fight, and if Deathflame’s expertise wielding his Death affinity was lacking... Ian didn’t like the man’s chances.

Ian was painfully aware of the time slipping away as he pondered. They drew ever closer to the research compound–he needed to decide a course of action.

And what happens when we find the phylactery? Ian wondered. If we assume Achemiss really can’t remove it from the facility, it might not be easy to destroy it, either.

It was all very messy. There were simply too many unknowns for his Beginning to properly work with.

As Lake Adrian’s azure waters came into view, Ian knew he needed to make a decision.

If they were serious about truly ending Achemiss here, today, he probably needed to enter the research compound personally. Between Eury, Kaiwen, and Iucorsu, there were three peak Regret practitioners. Moreover, Ian would have two ascendants for back-up in Maria and Deathflame.

It should be almost impossible for him to meet his end in this place, not with so many Regret practitioners all looking ahead for trouble. Ian also had confidence in his own power. Unless he was totally taken off guard and assassinated in his sleep, he had numerous ways to protect himself.

So why did he hesitate? Why was his mortality so terrifying now, when just a handful of years ago, before he’d ascended, it had been normal?

What’s on your mind? Maria suddenly asked.

Ian sighed. If I fail... Achemiss will run amok, and destroy this world.

You can keep trying until he’s truly dead, she replied.

What if he wins, though? What if I die? What happens to Eury, Germaine, Zilverna?

She was quiet for a beat. You and I aren’t the only ascendants on this planet, Ian. Deathflame may have been the only one to answer the Darkseers’ call, but the other ascendants... I struggle to believe that they’d really let Achemiss end everything. And if they did, well... She swallowed. That would be their failure, not yours. Even if it’s others who would bear an unfathomable price. People we both love. She squeezed his back as they flew. You’re debating going in, aren’t you?

You can tell?

She squeezed him tighter. What does your Beginning say?

You’ll need to be more specific.

If you venture into the compound, I figure it’s to put an end to whatever it is that allows Achemiss to come back. What does your Beginning say your chances of success are?

The number was... almost embarrassingly high. Ninety-three percent. But that’s if my assumptions about Achemiss are all correct–which is unlikely–and knowing that we have four powerful Darkseers agents supporting us.

And what’s your likelihood of death?

Less than a percent. But only just.

And what happens if you don’t go in, and Achemiss slips away?

Ian knew where Maria was leading him. He was just... surprised by her intended metaphorical destination. You want me to go in. He’d thought she’d be adamantly against it, unwilling to let him risk himself.

Answer my question.

Lake Adrian soon consumed the horizon. It really was a massive lake, larger than some seas.

If we fail to stop him here, either he’ll somehow barter for access to new rifts to hide in and attempt to murder us on the side, or he’ll go on the warpath. A Death and Dark ascendant who wishes to see the demise of this world, actually taking things into his own hands... He might even use the threat of annihilation to barter for a return beacon if he becomes convinced he cannot defeat us. But I doubt it. If he can really enslave or at least make puppets from powerful practitioners, his force will become formidable. And remember what you said earlier, Maria–we’re not the only ascendants here. What’s to stop Achemiss from bargaining with his descended peers?

Which outcome is more likely? Maria asked.

Achemiss is exhausted, paranoid, and vengeful. He’s also powerful, full of knowledge and secrets, and has plenty to offer those who decide to ally with him. Eighty-percent odds he escalates this conflict into a global war.

Unless you stop him here.

Unless we stop him here, Ian thought, squeezing her hand. He halted their flight. They’d arrived, not that he could tell from the physical surroundings. The research facility was hidden beneath the water’s surface.

His expression pensive, he withdrew a tarnished bronze key, holding it up. It had been midday when they’d ambushed Achemiss’s rift; flying east, they’d gained several hours, but not enough for the sun to have fully descended. The key glinted like a forgotten treasure in the light, its edges limned in gold. Maria’s eyes followed it, transfixed.

“Eury,” Ian began, “when I wear my crown of embers and I look at Maria’s phylactery... what do I see?”

Eury responded immediately, as though he’d been waiting for the question. Ian’s Beginning said that Euryphel was more than aware of what Ian was considering–his silence wasn’t an indicator of neglect, but of discernment. He’d given Ian space to decide how to handle this momentous fight.

“It shines like a star,” Euryphel replied. “Even when you drop it into the water, you see its light for a while before it eventually disappears.”

Ian breathed deeply. Maria, he said, to find the root of Achemiss’s rebirth, I suspect I’ll need the crown of embers–your regalia.

She swung around to Ian’s front, staying airborne by keeping a hold on his shoulders. She gave him a small smile and held up her hand, palm out. “The blade?” she whispered.

Ian placed the Blade of Revelation in her hand, closing his own fist around hers. She gave a sharp nod, then channeled ascendant energy and scraped it across her chest.

Her regalia, magnificent as always, manifested over him. The aged silvery vambraces that let him conduct Maria’s End; the fiery cloak that allowed him to fly like Maria did, like a fire elementalist; and finally, the crown of embers, which let him see embodied souls. He manifested ascendant energy in his hand, and its color was a profound cobalt, befitting what people might expect of a truly ancient ancient.

Apart, he and Maria were undoubtedly terrors to deal with. But together, like this... Ian couldn’t claim they were more than the sum of their parts, but if Ian himself was entering the fray...

Well, him against Achemiss, while transformed like this? He had let Achemiss see the regalia, the power of the Blade of Revelation, as an enticement in those final moments before he’d sprung the trap in Achemiss’s workshop.

Achemiss had never fought him while he wore Maria’s power.

Ian snatched the Blade of Revelation before it could tumble to the lake and drew it lightly across his neck. As the transformation came over him, he tilted his head back, looking at the deluge of souls that bobbed in the sky.

Ian hadn’t needed a position indicator or compass to know that he’d arrived; not after he was informed his destination was the research facility.

The sky was full of souls. Utterly saturated with them, like someone had let loose thousands upon thousands of balloons, with some of them ragged and deflated. They were all naturally drifting away, repulsed by each other, which indicated the Infinity Loop wasn’t currently active.

It made it very convenient for Ian, though. He snagged six souls, feeding them to the crown of embers. He shuddered, and felt as the six tongues of flame merged into one. He blinked, and the world was different. He held up his arm, inspecting the blue lines of his ethereal body.

And he looked at the bronze key, which he’d been holding in his left hand. As Euryphel said, it shined brightly, indeed like a star. He hid it back in his void storage, then plummeted downward, flames cascading behind him like afterburners, propelling him at an extraordinary speed.

He pierced through the water, his decemantic perception struggling to see through the all-surrounding gray water. He didn’t need to see that way, though. Clear as day, he saw the place where the souls billowed out like blood from a wound.

Where they came from, he’d find the Infinity Loop. Where they came from, he’d find Achemiss.

And finally, truly...

End him.