Surprisingly, when I opened my eyes, I wasn't greeted with the sight of either my sleeping lovers or the noises of my crew. Instead, I lay in the coldness of a great void, the depths of its insides hugging me close like a coat of Jagmet Goat's fur. The last thing I remembered was the dreams I had with An'raie at my side.

And they were fucking amazing dreams at that. Never had I had such wild adventures before. I raided empires of their treasure stores, waged wars against numerous kingdoms, and even stumbled upon glorious cities either deep beneath the seas or high above the clouds. Hell, I would have liked to experience them some more, but the call of sleep wouldn't come to me.

I tried to move, yet I found myself unable to. Declining my head, the answer to my silent question came to me when I saw the sleeping form of An'raie lying next to me. "And here I thought a lot like you had no need of sleep," I thought to myself as her fingers roamed my chest.

I exhaled slowly, enjoying the way her legs brushed against mine. For being an undead necromancer, there was a certain aroma coming from her that enticed me. I enjoyed her scent and the way she clung to me like I might fade into nothingness. It was such a strange feeling considering the Lonely Wail was hardly one that seemed to enjoy showing affection. I likened her to be a bit like Ellen sometimes. Granted, I'd say the Wail was a bit better at controlling her rage. Despite my persistence, she hadn't bothered to kill me though she very well could have.

I took her hand in mine and leaned up. She shifted to accommodate me while I took the time to stare upon the void. I assumed it had come about with neither of our thoughts to hold either the library, her realm, or our shared space together. We simply floated somewhere between all the mess like a ship lazily drifting against the calming waves of the early-morning sea.

Grunting, I focused and reformed the library of Liara's memories. Insurmountably high bookshelves appeared and stairs that led into eternity itself formed. Yet, what I found hilarious out of all this shit was that An'raie and I had come to find our rest on top of a table lined with open scrolls and books.

"I wonder what Liara might think if she bore witness to me now, naked as a babe weaned off its mother's teat, having bedded a fine necromancer lass capable of tearing my soul to pieces should she have desired. Aye, she might laugh and perhaps even join," I remarked, leaning my head back on the table.

Liara. I wondered what she might be doing at this very moment.

Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to ponder that question because I felt An'raie stir. I thought she might offer some kind of strange remark to our predicament, but she remained silent. Instead, she leaned up, using her hands to cover herself.

"Thee shouldst leave. 'Twas a simple mistake. Never shalt such a matter be replicated. Cometh not to my domain again. I warn thee this one time," An'raie said, the otherworldly wail in her voice returning. She then slipped off the table and her white dress was formed back on her body.

I watched her fix her hair. She then grabbed her eye mask and placed it back over her face. Her steps struck the floor as she continued to walk away while I leaned back up and swung my legs off the table as well.

"Be it really so horrible that you would seek to leave at the earliest encounter, An'raie? Be it so strange that you might have enjoyed such a time?" I asked, hoping to keep any rising edge out of my tone. Much as this matter continued to irk me, I rathered An'raie not wallow in such destructive lust again.

"Enough, Eric Drakclaw. Thou oughtest best remember mine words of warning," she said as she faded down the long hallway until I no longer sensed the presence of her spirit.

I wasn't sure how long I stared at the hallway she left down, but I finally realized nothing might come about if I simply continued looking. I thought that perhaps pursuing her might be a good course, yet my legs found not their strength. It seemed so strange that this matter reminded me of the time with my mother. Aesteal mentioned that I might have to give my mother time to herself. Aye, one of those 'patience' lessons or what have you.

Not willing to let myself grow exhausted mere minutes after waking up, I decided to allow my mind to drift. When I opened my eyes again, I was greeted with the sound of hushed breaths. When I looked down, I saw the sleeping forms of my mother and Diane. As expected, Aesteal was still gone while Naala had her head turned.

I looked at them and exhaled slowly, enjoying the embrace of my pillow. As I lay there, I found myself pleasantly, yet confusingly, surprised. I knew not why, but my body seemed to have changed somehow. I looked at myself, or at least as much as I could without disturbing the lasses resting on me.

On first, second, third, or even fourth glance, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Every feature that I could observe was seemingly the same. The top of my head hadn't grown cold from a loss of hair. My body was still tempered by the mystical ingredients I'd used upon it. Even the stores of mana within me hadn't changed.

Yet, the strange sensation never ceased. It seemed like my body had been anchored down somehow, chained up in something valuable. Every now and then, delicate pulses of my mana would move throughout my body. However, the mana was cold, making me shiver sometimes like when my fingers touched my rapier.

While my lovers rested, I contemplated this sudden problem. Well, perhaps problem was the wrong word. By all accounts, I felt better than I had in a long time. Even my intake of mana was much purer than before. Had I known what might have been the cause, I'd sooner it call it a welcome boon more than anything else.

Taking a moment, I activated the Mark of Hoɖ. When I looked up, I slowly began to understand what might have happened to me when I saw runes of green fire swirling around me. One by one, each of them flew into my body and my mana pulsed each time. It was both a calming and empowering feeling. Hell, I felt like I might actually stand something of a chance against Alġnoth. At the very least I wouldn't have to worry about the bastard's corrupting mana disrupting my senses anymore.

I continued to look at the runes, immediately recognizing them as bits of An'raie's own magical might. Even with us soulbound such a thing wouldn't happen, at least not with the spell I'd used to keep her attached to me. In order to augment my spells or abilities with her own, she'd have to consciously supply it to me, no different from how we'd battled Diane back on the island. However, with this, there'd be no need for her to consciously supply it. I was free to access her might as I wished, and the same was true of her. And, I was pretty sure I knew why.

In hindsight, perhaps I shouldn't have tested my theory as quickly as I did. That said, with Liara's knowledge of such matters filling me, I felt I had all the confidence I needed to go through with this matter.

"Imtriame!" I muttered, speaking a few words of magic, and releasing the spell that kept An'raie and I soulbound.

I waited to hear her scream. I waited to feel her very mana ripped from my body as the pain all but forced me into unconsciousness. I even waited for a piece of my soul to rupture from the sudden ripping of her being from my own.

...Yet, such sensations or moments never came to me. In fact, I felt rather at ease now that a portion of my mana had been returned to me instead of being used to keep the spell intact. I also still felt the presence of An'raie, albeit briefly since I assumed she wished not to be disturbed. The green runes continued to sink into my body until they finally disappeared.

I ceased using the Mark of Hoɖ and stared at the ceiling, everything being made known to me. Had my mother, Diane, Naala, and the fairmaids not been sleeping, I might have laughed at the fucking absurdity of what happened to me, or to us I should say. It was then that I knew An'raie enjoyed her time with me, whether she sought to deny it or not. I even dared think that she had to have enjoyed it more than even I knew.

I certainly couldn't explain why she'd allowed herself to be eternally soulbound to me. Even more than that, when had I been so willing to be eternally soulbound to her?

Of course, even though I asked that question it wasn't hard to find out the answer. It could only have been last night when we'd properly laid together. I still remembered the taste of her lips, the coyness of her eyes, and the delicate embrace of her body. It certainly seemed like my cock remembered it.

As the practice suggested, An'raie and I were now eternally soulbound. It mattered not who tried, whether it be the Alchemist, Zeus, or even Vilinlith herself, no one would be able to separate us. Once death claimed me, it would just as soon claim her as well. To be eternally soulbound was to never part even if you'd later end up hating each other to the core.

Being eternally soulbound wasn't a new thing. I'd seen numerous men and women become eternally soulbound to their weapons. It certainly helped in stopping thieves from taking prized possessions. However, as with most things, there was always a downfall to being hastily bonded to anything.

Such magic was effectively a one-time deal. One could not be eternally soulbound to numerous things. In my first life, I'd heard tales of the practice and always assumed Leah might be the one I'd bond with. I supposed I should count my blessings that such a circumstance never came about.

I know not when the art of the Eternal Soulbound came about, but its history was even longer than Liara could date it. Supposedly, eternal soulbounding wasn't as easy as one might think. Before me, I certainly hadn't heard of anyone fucking to get it. Such an act, particularly between two sentient beings, required both to willingly rip a piece of their soul and intertwine it together in such compatible harmony that even their very thoughts might become linked.

I'd always assumed the process of being eternally soulbound was supposed to be extremely painful. Even nobles never dared use such a ritual casually, after all what point was there in wielding a family heirloom that no one else in the family could use? Piece of shit might as well be good for only collecting dust and dirt. If every rich bastard had an eternally soulbound weapon, then the noble vault would be filled with powerful, albeit very useless weaponry once the wielder perished.

Based on Liara's knowledge, the first person to ever become eternally soulbound was a weaponsmith. He was a beastman who lived, breathed, and loved the tests of his hammer against steel, iron, and other metals. He forged great weaponry and though he loved his wife, she was only second in his heart to his hammer. One night, as he was working, all things seemed to align and Liara's stories told that he could even hear the thoughts of his hammer. Many religious bastards thought this man to be Hephaestus, but the old shit was hardly beastman-worthy unless they might talk of one of his hundreds of sons.

I inhaled and exhaled again, slowly finding myself again while I stared at the tent's ceiling, rolling my circumstances in my head. An'raie and I were eternally soulbound. Though this was a great boon for me, I also recognized its inherent problems as well. It would seem I'd have a greater enemy in any wielders of light magic given that An'raie harbored a great weakness against such might. I wondered if that would also mean she'd have the same weakness that I did against moonstones.

After some time thinking, I closed my eyes.I rattled my head for seas knew how long with no answer to my matter. I knew not why An'raie might offer a piece of her soul to me, or that I might offer a piece of mine to her. I especially didn't know how we could end up becoming so harmonious in a single night.

Finally, I just decided to cease thinking about the matter when a headache started to form. I wasn't about to have my mind as raged as the stormy seabed mere minutes after waking up. Of course, I couldn't help a tad bit of pirate's smugness knowing that An'raie simply refused to be honest about her enjoyment, yet that also left me puzzled as to why she'd reject me so swiftly once our time was finished.

Again, I thought to question her, yet I had not the heart to mess with her so quickly after she left. Instead, I continued to lie down on my bed while my other lovers slept. The sun didn't seem to rise yet and the snores of my crew were a rather strange ambiance to get used to. Yet, get used to it I did, and I found myself falling back asleep.

Of the many things I was expecting when I woke up again a few hours later, the sight of my mother with my cock in her hand wasn't one of them. I exhaled, wondrous pleasure from her fingers gracing my cock.

When I looked at her, I saw her looking at me. "Isn't it too early for you to be this fucking hard?" she asked, a grin plastered on her face while she continued her slow and delicate movements along my cock. Up and down, back and forth, she stirred the sleep out of my body.

"Aye, it's never too early to be with so fine a lass as you," I said, watching the way she bit her lip. I began to see the familiar flames of lust begin to settle within her. Her eyes seemed to pierce into mine, somehow letting me know of the intimacy and care that she so greatly desired.

My mother swung her beautifully auburn hair and looked back at my cock. She then grunted. "You do know you're not supposed to get fucking hard for your mother of all people, right?" she asked.

I might have laughed had I wanted to risk waking the others. "Perhaps not, but even then a mother shouldn't have her hands around her son's cock either. That said, you'd best think me insane if you saw me push your hand away. I might with others, but it shall never be with you," I replied, enjoying the way my mother gazed at me with her thumb gently pressing against the crown of my shaft.

"Don't you ever shut up?" she asked, the fire absent from her voice. She slowly leaned up, hardly ashamed at the way I marveled at her breasts. She turned her gaze toward Diane and Naala for a moment. It hardly took me long to know the treacherous thoughts rolling through her head.

"The only pushing you'd better be fucking doing is inside me and soon. Now come on before the shitheads outside seek to ruin the rest of my day," she claimed, taking me by the hand. I barely had the time to leave Nei and Lei on my bed and grab my coat.

My mother unzipped my tent and led me through our camp, her beautiful tits on display for the great realms to see. She led me through the overgrowth of trees and shrubs, and down to a river's edge.

"And what do you hope to accomplish, bringing the captain out here and isolating him from his crew?" I asked.

In response, my mother knelt down and stared at my still-hard shaft. "Well, since all your blood's going into one head and not the other, I'll make things simple. I'm gonna lick and suck this cock, this damn good, hard cock of my son in my hands. Then I'm gonna spread my cunt, waiting for you to slide right in and fuck the shit outta me. Sound like a plan?" she asked.

I wasn't even given the time to respond before my mother gently swung her hand, handling my cock delicately. I threw my head back, the pleasure continuing to rise within me. My legs quickly felt weak, yet, at the same time, I never felt more strength flooding into me. My legs already began to tremble.

"Mmmmngh. How do you know me so well every time?" I inquired.

"Cause I'm your mother. I should well know you," she answered, her eyes remaining solely focused on my erection. Her lips were close, enough for her breath to tease the tip of my cock while her hands continued their delicate caresses. Each strike of her fingers was another piece of wood thrown on the fire of our lust, kindling it, stroking it, and raising it higher and higher.

Finally, my mother lifted my cock up and laid her tongue on it, gliding up and down its length with an addicted look in her eye. Her nipples were already pointed out and I sensed the quivering of her pussy. It refused to stop the leaking of its delicious bounty as it sailed down her leg.

"Mhm! How does it feel to have your mother on her knees, licking and sucking your fucking cock like she can't live without it? Cause I'm not sure I could. I love this damn thing. I just... nnnghaa... love it," she said, swirling her tongue over it. She licked both the underside and the overside. Against the dew and cool air of the morning, her mouth was a wonderful contrast of fire and passion.

"Aye, keep that up and you shall know just how I feel about it, Mother," I warned as I felt the essence of Vilinlith seep into my cock, its power crossing my mother's tongue and stimulating her body.

Despite my warning, my mother refused to stop. Just like her tongue, her lips brushed my cock and balls. She took one in her mouth, blowing and pulling it before moving onto the other.

While this feeling was fucking grand, especially for having woken up so early in the morning, I also remembered what An'raie told me. I wondered if perhaps the lust had simply accumulated in my mother and this was simply her body's way of releasing it lest it become a painful occurrence like with An'raie and Aesteal. I certainly wasn't gonna complain, but I imagined I'd have to keep a mark of this in the future.

Under my mother's ministrations, my breaths became hoarse. My man's mast became like stone and my sea legs became like jelly. Over and over, she'd teased me while her eyes, every so slowly, became clouded with otherworldly lust and desire.

As the lust continued to fuel the steadily rising flames with me, my body started to reciprocate. I grabbed my mother's head and guided my cock past her lips, settling it into her warm mouth. "Ngh! What better for a man than such an embrace as you, Mother? Such a slut as you to make him lose all reason and sense of self," I said.

I pulled my hips back and then thrust them back in. Steadily, I fucked her throat while her tongue caressed my intruding man meat. Her lips hung tight to it, her tongue coiling and slathering it with saliva and spit.

"Mmmmngh! NHGH! HgnghgH! Ghnnagh!" My mother groaned, accepting the steadily escalating force of my hips until my very balls slapped her chin. Her hands grabbed at my legs, perhaps hoping in some way to brace herself for my thrusts. Every time my cock was pulled out of her mouth, I felt the cool air embracing it before it was pushed back into the inferno of her welcoming mouth.

I sensed my mother's lust. The juices from her body streamed down her leg and I could only picture the rushing of the river behind us as a proper ambiance to her emotions. When I looked at her, I caught the briefest look of pure ecstasy. Her eyes rolled up into her head, the lust feeding her just as it did me.

I shoved myself fully into her and held her head near my crotch.

"N-NNGHGHNGH!" My mother groaned, an orgasm ripping through her body. She trembled and her sensations poured themselves into me. It took all I had not to blow my load right down her throat. My cock twitched more than once, indulging in the raw immortality of our passionate affair. It just seemed like my mother knew my body more than any other lover.

In fact, before I could even brace myself for it, all it took was a bit of her breath on the tip of my man's mast for me to growl like a damned beast as I fired a load of cum into her waiting mouth. I couldn't even keep my eyes open, my body surrendering to the base need of making sure no other man's seed would find itself in my mother's body. I wished to possess every inch, every nook, every corner of her.

My legs trembled in response to my need, my nerves flaring from the aftermath of my pleasant night with An'raie. Once I felt I was finished, I pulled my tongue out of her mouth. I released her head and watched her stagger back. She panted and so did I.

When I looked upon her, I saw just how beautiful she looked. Even now, I remembered my mother's decrepit form and the lack of luster and life in her gaze. Now, such fulfillment was ignited in abundance. The lips of her cunt quivered with need and her legs spasmed.

I continued to look at her until my throat ran dry. When she looked back at me, not a word passed through her lips. Instead, she, somehow, found the strength to enter the river. Once she was on the other side of the bank, she turned to me and parted her ass for me, granting me a full view of her pussy. It was red and thick with a trail of rich juice.

"C-Come on, stop staring like a fucking stupid s-shit. G-Get over here and f-fuck me already. I-I need that big, hard cock inside me! That beautiful, strong, a-addicting cock! Fuck me until my womb begs for your seed!" My mother said, her thoughts intruding into my mind, or perhaps it was my mind that intruded into hers. Either way, I found myself already behind her.

"Do you want this cock inside you, Mother? You wish your son of a captain to ravage your insides? To fuck you until your pussy takes the shape of his shaft? To cum inside you? Perhaps even one day... get you pregnant?" I asked, slipping my cock between her thighs.

My mother's lust exploded, her hands clenching the fresh grass along the river bank while my hands touched her curvaceous body. Her lips part against my cock.

"You f-fucking cocky s-s-s-shit!" She groaned, trying to slide my cock into her cunt, trying to satiate the burning heat within her that we both knew would consume us eventually.

She turned her head and looked back at me. The flames of Vilinlith's essence roared behind her eyes. Her nipples looked stiff, even stiffer than my dick which continued to rub and tickle the lower half of her body.

"E-Eric, do you really have to make your own mother beg? I want your cock! Only your cock inside me. Ever since last night, I've dreamed about what you were gonna do to me when I woke up. Just hurry before I lose my mind! Fuck me! Ruin my pussy with my son's strong, powerful, beautiful cock," My mother pleaded.

"If there shall be any reason for you to lose your mind, then I desire that it shall only be because of me," I said, locking lips with her, with my mother. I then pulled my hips back and slowly speared her insides. Her cunt wasted no time wrapping around me, the nooks and crannies of her pussy becoming so familiar to me.

I... I couldn't deny it, even if I dared try. My cock was perfectly made for my mother's pussy, and her cunt was perfectly made for my mast. The way she welcomed me, the way her body clung to mine, the thundering sensations which ruptured by core and invigorated me, her body was perfect. She never stopped shaking through the entire ordeal.

With the flames linking our sensations, I felt the way she bit her lip. Her legs trembled just like mine did. My mind and my body desired her. My cock pulsed, pressing against the bumps and curves of her snatch.

"Mmmmmmmngh, right where you belong. Your cock feels so good. It always feels good. I feel like I can't even live without it. No one else comes close. N-Not even... nnnnghgh!"

While I knew where my mother might go with that point, I bothered not with letting her finish. "Aye, and never again," I said as I finally pulled my hips and pushed them back in. The river seemed to be doing strange things to me. It felt like the waters were trying to wrap around me from every angle.

"Nnnnghgh! Yes! Ooh fuck yes! Oh shit, that feels good. I-It feels so good. M-More, Eric. Fuck me more! Bury that damn cock deep inside me!" My mother panted, licking the top of my lips while her fingers grazed through my hair.

The waters of the riverbed became rowdy as I fervently started thrusting in my hips. I pulled her close to me, my cock wedged as far inside her as I could get it. Even then, the essence of Vilinlith compensated for our desperate need for each other. I swore my cock got even longer, clinging to every surface while her pussy rubbed over it. Pleasure like electricity fried my brain and the rest of my body.

The lustful flames overtook the both of us. One of my fingers rubbed her clit while the other fondles her breasts. Her hands cover mine just like her pussy covers my man's mast. I pulled out and pushed in, her body welcomed me every time. My pelvis and her ass smack into the open air.

Then there was her voice.

"NNNGNhgghh! Oooooh gods! S-Shit! Yessssssssssss! M-Mmmngnghhgh! F-Fucking damn, my l-l-legs are shaking!" she quivered, refusing to release her lower body's grip on my flesh from hers.

Seas, there was her voice. I knew not when my mother had turned into a siren, her very voice captivating me, ensnaring me, trapping me further in. I couldn't even fully pull out even if I desired. She clung to me too well. When I buck my hips, she would slam her hips back into me. I dared say even our very minds were in tune with the other.

"B-By the great spirits!"

Somehow, a single thought pierced through the cloudy haze of lust in my mind aside from all the others. It was not my thought and it wasn't my mother's. With great concentration, I quickly noticed that my mother and I found ourselves with an audience. While nowhere near the level of mana that my crew had, our watcher was no less impressive and I had a rather interesting idea of who it was.

The thought that someone would watch my mother and I aroused my senses to their greatest heights. Almost possessively, I slammed my hips into hers and fired a load of cum into her body, growling like a damned beast impregnating his wonderful mate.

"NNNNGGHGHGH! OH FUCK!" My mother cried, her own orgasm ripping through her. Her legs shook as she accepted my load, the flames raging into the air. My cum stuck to her insides, every push of it being felt by me.

"Mmmmmm, it's so hot inside me," she said, facing me. A smirk grew on her face when my cock immediately rose again inside her.

"And it looks like you're not done," she commented.

Deciding not to tell her of our guest, I kissed her. She reciprocated, striking my tongue with hers. I lifted her leg and pushed back into her. Her walls, though still wonderfully tight, were now well-lubricated with my cum. It was all too easy to lodge myself back into her welcoming slit.

"Hnnghghgnh! F-Fuck, it feels so good every time. You love your mother's cunt that much? You like the n-nnngh way it strokes you? Tell me how much you love... mmmmmm... f--f-fucking me!" My mother said, her hot breath touching the side of my cheek.

"Aye, your body fills up the body better than the finest tankard in all of D'orn. I enjoy you. Seas, do I enjoy you so much. And I know you enjoy me as well. You crave your son's cock like the wealthiest courtesan, a slave to pleasures only I wish to provide you. And I love you for it. I fucking love every inch of you," I panted, aware of the lust I was drawing from our guest. They watched as I continued to handle my mother's nipples and strike her clit.

My mother bit her lip before she turned back to me. She held me close in one of her arms. "Then take every inch of me. G-Give me everything, you motherfucker. This is your body after all. Do whatever you want with it," she said.

I saw the look in my mother's eyes and she'd completely been given over to anything I wished. Even if I might demand the most degrading shit I could think of, I imagined she would wholeheartedly welcome it. Such words strengthened the boldness of my cock, pressing it almost possessively against her womanly flesh.

My mind was too frayed to think about what our guest thought. All I truly cared about was my mother. I felt the lustful essence of VIlinlith bend to my will, filling me with numerous ideas which I could inflict upon my mother, even as I recklessly thrust my hips into her, saliva falling down the side of my face like a rabid beast.

Through the force of my thrusts, the cum I'd pushed into her seeped out. Some of it trailed down her leg while other bits flew down the length of my drenched cock.

More. I needed more of my mother. My single lung burned and my eyes were glasses with lust that even my very sight became purple. I desired so much more. I desired, and desired, and desired.

Until...

"MnNNghghghgh! E-Eric! Nghghghhg oooooh FUCK!" My mother cried, cumming again as my cock lodged itself into her precious ass and pussy at the same time. I gritted my teeth, stopping only momentarily to catch my breath. I grabbed my mother and pressed my weight over her back.

We ceased, descending into a bundle of sensitive pleasures and sensations, the river almost becoming corrupted with our lust. I dared think that if any human or animal drank from it, then they'd be willing to fuck anything they could find.

"O-Ooooh fuck. H-How are you doing... nnhghgn... that? Could you at least warn me when you f-fucking put that wooden pole up my ass?!" she groaned.

Despite her groanings, my cock couldn't stop throbbing. The urge to cum again was great, especially when I felt the differing sensations between her ass and her pussy. "And yet you cling to me so tightly, like you never want me to leave. W-Was this not what you called me out for?" I asked, my voice threatening to crack under the pleasure.

My mother turned to me and then grunted. "Well, be glad. You certainly got something your father never did. H-Had it been... hnnngh... anyone else, I'd have shivved their g-guts out," my mother protested, licking the side of my cheek.

While I held her, I withdrew my hips. "It shall never be anyone else again. Not even the person watching us," I whispered.

My mother widened her eyes, and before her eyes could dart around, I drew her to me. "And they shall watch. Whether they be man or woman, they shall see my mother taking her son in any manner that he chooses. And they shall know that though your voice shall resound in the air, only your gaze shall be directed at me," I said.

"Eric! Wait! You can't just...! Nnnngh! Nngh! Nhaagh! Hhn! Uhnnngh!" she whined as I started thrusting.

My mother might say whatever she wished, but I knew she was turned on by being watched. Her cunt and ass choked my cocks with a fierceness that I'd never felt before. I plunged into both over and over, smacking her ass and her clit skillfully. Cum poured out of my balls like water through the hole of a ship. At some point, I couldn't tell where the orgasm ended and the fucking began. Though my tip was sensitive, the lustful essence kept it from becoming overbearing pain.

And her ass. Her ass was fucking amazing. She choked my shaft, somehow pulling it even further in at every turn. She'd wiggle and roll her hips, making any attempt at escape impossible. Not that I would have done so. Instead, I pushed into her fully, embracing all she had to offer me.

"HaaaaH! Hhah! Oooooooh! F-Fuck! G-Gods! Yes! Oh FUCK YES! F-FUCK ME!" My mother wailed, enjoying the ramming and pistoning of my thrusts. I didn't think her body could even hold any more cum. Every thrust only pushed out more.

If the lustful fire that engulfed us was an actual inferno, it would have burned the whole forest down while my strength multiplied.

At some point, I had her facing me. Her eyes were delirious from sheer rapture. Her hands balanced her on the riverbank edge. Her breasts bounced in my face while I held the rest of her body. I picked her up and she grabbed a hold of me. Arms around my neck, legs around my body, we came. My legs locked and her entire body crumpled into a pile of unwound nerves.

"S-S-So hot! My fucking pussy's s-shaking," she uttered breathlessly while we both felt strings of my cum slip into her body. Over and over, one by one, the lust pulled out as much of my cum as it could get from my nutsack. My mother took all that she could into her, but even she couldn't hold it all, letting some slip into the river.

The powers of lust seeped into my body and settled while we stayed there in the water.

"H-Holy shit. If you fucking kill me from pleasure, you're gonna have two damn spirits to worry about," My mother said, cupping my chin and kissing me. Her legs remained locked around me.

While I enjoyed her taste, I distantly heard our guest depart through the overgrowth while my mother held me until strength returned to her legs. I was granted an amusing sight when I let her down and she fell back into the river.

"Lost your sea legs, have you?" I asked.

"Maybe I'd be standing if I hadn't just gotten ship rammed in my ass and cunt by a piece of shit, no matter how good it felt. Just gimme a minute," she said.

While she took those minutes, I decided to check on An'raie. She still saw fit to not speak to me, though I heard her distant huffs and moans of pleasure. I wanted to speak, yet something stayed my tongue. Instead, I left her alone again and turned back to my mother.

Once strength was with her, for real this time, she walked over to the waterfall. I bit my lip, watching the way her ass swayed as my cum slipped out of her snatch.

"Stop staring at my ass," she said without turning around.

"The day I might not do so, may my cock be taken from me and I put on the greatest of monkly robes," I returned. My mother flipped me off as we enjoyed a brief bout of intimacy washing each other. My mother questioned me about our sightseer, but I offered no explanation, especially since I had no idea who it even was.

We dressed and returned to camp. My mother stretched, a wide smile plastering her face. "Mmmmmm, nothing like a good fuck to get the blood moving in the morning. So what do we do now?" my mother questioned.

We entered the camp, and I noticed a few people already awake. They greeted me as they began reigniting the fire pits.

"We shall wait for Aesteal and Maeloson to return. Once they've given me a lay of the land, we shall make a plan to proceed. The Lich hasn't interfered with our affairs and its power has surprisingly ceased growing. Either it's stopped whatever it's been doing willingly, or forcefully. And, I'll be willing to bet it's the latter. Had it been the former, I doubt you and I would have had the time to enjoy ourselves like that," I answered, darting my eyes this way and that.

I noticed the way my mother snorted. "I'll be sure to let the Lich live a second longer for giving me the time for some mother-son bonding. In the meantime, I think I'll go get my teeth knocked out by Diane. Should be fucking fun," she answered. She then jumped when I smacked her ass, casting a glare at me.

"Atta boy, Cap'n! A lass' ass be in need of a good rattlin' in the wee hours of the day! Better yet, they hardly be a better time fer anything else hauauahahgh!" a man guffawed while others joined it, raising their cooking meats and roasted fruits to us.

Unfortunately for him, my First Mate turned to him, casting upon him the same glare she had on me. "Keep spewing trash out your mouth and the only ass that's gonna be rattling is yours after I pump it full of shrapnel!" My mother growled as she slowly zipped open the tent and crawled inside.

The crew got another laugh from her while I saw Nei and Lei float in my direction. My eyes narrowed when I spotted Nei in particular. Though most of her hair was still black like mine, I noticed more than a few strands glowing in an eerily green color. It was only when she got closer that I realized it was An'raie's mana that I sensed from Nei.

The fairmaids quickly took their usual spots, the former kissing my cheek before then. "And hast the land of dreams for you, Nei?" I inquired.

"Nei dreamed wonders! Nei feed off Mate's dream. Mate smell... different. Mate feel different. Mate makes Nei feel different. Nei like it. Very much," She said sultrily. I exhaled hard air through my nostrils from the way her tongue traced over the top of my head. Bits of her arousal seeped into my body.

"Care, Nei. Lest I grant you the same fate as I did my mother," I warned.

Somehow, I knew Nei rolled her eyes at me. "Promises, Mate. Promises," she replied, making me wonder if I should regret opening her mind to text and language lessons.

Either way, I continued to scan the camp, hoping to find the intruder who seemed so intent on making a show of my time with my mother. I wished it was a little easier to do, but my crew was already a somewhat lecherous one. While orgies aboard the ship were hardly an everyday occurrence, it was rather clear that I'd not prohibited such behavior, at least amongst willing parties. So, there was quite a bit of lust pouring out of the men and women already, nothing much to fret over aside from obvious attraction.

However, I found my answer, much to my surprise, when I turned to Stonewall's tent. Far from my own camp, the Mage Association Tent lay amongst the trees in the distance. Even now, I saw the purple flames of lust swirling about that tent, unfulfilled and eager for more. Over time, the flames continued to die down until they became a gentle fire, never going out but never blazing either.

"You know, I don't know too many pirate captains who can make their mother's smile from a good fucking. Keep this up and you're gonna morally corrupt the whole rest of the ship!" Naala claimed, suddenly leaning on my shoulder.

"Be there any point in further corrupting the already corrupted? You're lucky I lead these shits in any manner at all. Seas know they'd find the nearest town and ravage it, man or woman, and then raze it to the ground," I answered.

Naala chuckled. "Oh yeah, we're supposed to do that sometimes, aren't we? Why the change of heart?" she questioned next.

"What need be there in raiding people who have worse shit than you do? Besides, it be much easier to treasure hunt when there ain't a sword pointed at your back and your front," I answered, getting a laugh out of Naala.

Following that an extra three days passed by for my crew. An'raie still refused to speak with me and the tensions of my crew had begun to run their course. Many wondered when we might venture into Charon's Landing, getting rather rowdy in the process. Of course, everyone was quick to bite their tongue when I clogged their throats with water.

It was at times such as these that I kept the thoughts of my current crew, and my former crew, at the forefront of my mind. While these lads and lasses might be fun to party around or share the largest tankards with, they were still Draegnarian at their very core. Should I show any true signs of weakness, I imagined that I'd die in my sleep with a slit throat. Well, or the attempt would be made at least.

I imagined that the only reason no one had done so back on Delverhold was simply because of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the isles. Many knew they'd have a better chance of success with me. However, had my powers not returned, I figured the ship might attempt to be just a little more lawless.

Luckily for my crew, and my aching headache, Aesteal and Maeloson returned in the night. When I woke up, I chuckled as I saw the sea of silver hair fluttering across my hazy eyes. Once the next morning arose, I gathered my crew and the members of the Mage Association together. We all waited upon Aesteal and Maeloson's words as they stood before me.

"The land is very... strange. I believe Maeloson even called it unorthodox, its people even more so. The air was thick with the might of the Lich. On the surface, it appears to be like any other town or village, but the mystery delves deeper. Everyone's doors are either open or ripped off. The denizens are all sick or ill. I think they..."

I stared curiously at my bonded elf, taking note of the uneasy pause she made. Her aura went out to me and I sensed great concern from it. With a hand, I urged her to continue, allowing my own mana to comfort hers and letting her know that there would be no disdain upon her report.

Taking a moment, she continued. "Many of them are even similar to Miss Ira Drakclaw. In fact, I'd dare say a few are worse than she was back on Draegnar," Aesteal said.

I glanced at my mother briefly, noticing the shiver run through her spine. If such a population was like that, then even I pitied them. My mother's condition of Shark's Bite was very severe, and I assumed that it only got worse when I left. I wondered how much she suffered in that damn bed.

"Sheesh, now I want to raid the lot just to put 'em outta their fuckin' misery. Wait, then why the fuck aren't they deserted like the rest of these places we've passed?" one of my men asked.

"Aesteal and I weren't able to answer that question in the time we had. However, it seems that the Lich has a reason for keeping them alive. Every two hours, they would awake and go down to the riverbank to pray. Some of the beastmen sing songs and other people speak in strange tongues, but there was one thing common with them all. They all spoke of the desire for Death's embrace," he said, gathering a shudder from the camp.

"Madness," one of the Association mages said in a hushed whisper.

Maeloson continued. "The village is about sixty square miles wide. The people will look at you strangely, but if you ask them questions then they will only refer to the river. They don't keep their doors locked because they wish for death. As Eddan said, they wish for someone to put them out of their misery, and they pray to the river that one of them might be lucky enough to be ferried across it into the mist beyond."

I watched Naala lean forward, ceasing the twirling of her pistol around her finger. "What, like the fucking River Styx or something?" she asked.

"We elves do not believe in the River Styx, but it would seem that these people believe it. And, indeed, they believe this river to be it. Over the days, many have turned up missing, but none seem concerned. However, at night, they are more strangely proactive. When Maeloson and I camped in the trees, we were awakened by their groanings beneath our tree. Even when we switched locations, they groaned beneath us the same night," Aesteal answered.

It seemed such a situation wouldn't sit well with my crew. "Fucking dammit. Why does all the treasure got to be in the most insane of places? If we're lucky, they'll just be rabid cannibals rather than cultists. Ain't nothing like getting your arms and legs cut off, or your heart wrenched from your core," another said, before he gave a pained laugh from a punch to the gut.

Maeloson decided to ignore the comment and focused back on me. "Also, the fog grows heavier in the night, but Aesteal and I were able to make out a figure sailing over the river. The fog masked them, almost like it weaved the air around them. When it stepped onto the shore, the fog came with it, surrounding the village. It walked into a person's house and guided them away. The fog retreated with them. The villagers celebrated briefly the next morning," the male elf mentioned.

"And what of its mana? What did it feel like?" Cellanie asked, her eyes firmly placed on Aesteal and Maeloson. She even had a small book out with a quill in her hands.

"Given that the Lich resides in this part of Olipios, the mana its mana is very rich and nearly floods over the village. Maeloson and I tried to look out into the river for anything discernable, but the mist was too thick. I also believe that the Mage Association members should exercise caution as the mana seems to have a severe corrupting influence. While I don't know why the villagers haven't succumbed, at least fully, I would believe it's clear they're not in a proper state of mind," Aesteal said.

I briefly noticed the way Cellanie stopped writing. Her companions looked at her, perhaps waiting for any input she might give. She glanced at me only briefly before I turned my attention back to Aesteal and Maeloson.

My elves continued their report until they'd offered me all that they could. Of course, it didn't take long for the eyes of everyone to settle on me. I suppose I'd grown used to such a feeling by now. I exhaled and handed five sacs of silver to Aesteal and Maeloson each for their work. I chuckled when they tried to refuse, yet I always attempted to reward good work if I had the means.

I stood to my feet and turned to my mother. "Change of plans, Mother. As we are currently indisposed of my ship, we shall make this spot our permanent residence until our business in Charon's Landing has settled. Once night falls, we'll travel into the region. At our pace, we should enter the village when the sun rises. Once we've entered, we'll see for ourselves these mysteries that plague this land," I said.

My mother nodded and I handed her a scroll. "Have the men make ten teleporting circles here. We shall use them if we encounter any predicament beyond our means," I claimed.

I noticed one of my crew step forward. "Be all this work and dirt-kicking necessary, Captain? Why don't we just ransack the fucking place and slit the throats of the cunts over there? By the sounds of it from the elves, the lot would welcome a shiv to the throat," one of them said, a few echoing his sentiment.

Of course, I had to deal with the disgusted looks of the Mage Association. Clearly, more than a few of them wanted to speak out against the heartless actions of my crew, but Cellanie stayed their voices with a shake of her head. While I wasn't sure if this was because she might be worried that voicing such an opinion might turn my restless crew on her, or if she feared that her people had not the means to stop us, I knew I could see that even she wasn't exactly pleased with the decision. Then again, I supposed one had to be a bit more on the noble side of things to maintain a certain degree of neutrality amongst the nations of D'orn.

As always, my lovers remained quiet, even Diane. Nz'ia and Goron watched my every move while I held my hand up for silence. "In case the lot of you have forgotten, the entirety of Charon's Landing is the Lich's domain, and while the lot of you boast great mana from the bounty on Delverhold, there ain't a lot of you too keen on wielding it properly. Haven't seen one of you, aside from my group of mages, who have bothered to properly learn any mana control since you've been enchanted. And don't tell me you'd be so quick to run the risk of being captured a second time?" I asked.

More than half of my men shivered at the thought, being reminded of what they'd experienced on Delverhold. No doubt they remembered the agony that the Alchemist's spawn had put them through. Naturally, they didn't seem so keen on returning to that.

"Besides, we're dealing with a land that the Alchemist wrote of in his book. You lot trusted me to keep you alive, I dare you to not make my job harder then. I be the prime example of what happens when you ain't thinking with your head. You lot nearly lost your lives because of me and I've lost something of my own. Slaughter the lot of the townspeople if you will, but you won't be a part of my ship," I said as I turned to the members of the Mage Association.

"I hardly have the time to enchant the lot of you to prepare for Charon's Landing, so I should require that you stay near me. I have the means to keep the lot of you safe, assuming you don't stray too far from me. I'll circulate the Lich's mana and keep it from corrupting you, assuming you can't stand against it yourselves. Gather what you need before we set off," I said.

"We heed your words, Eric Drakclaw," Cellanie said while I turned back to my business, only to hear one of the Mage Association members speak with her.

"Cellanie, you know such mana control is quite literally impossible. Even if he were to do amongst three people, he'd be considered a genius amongst mages, and these claims of teleportation. No simple spell can teleport someone so far away without a large concentration of mana. The only mage Association's Gate Crystals would have such power," a young sorceress said while Cellanie watched the men work.

I opted to leave them alone, however, before I could walk away, Aesteal grabbed me. "Sir, one more thing. Maeloson and I thought it might be for your ears and your best judgment," Aesteal claimed.

Sighing, I led them away from the camp briefly and to a secluded area. "What is it?" I asked.

"While Maeloson and I couldn't take a boat out on the river, there were many other ways of investigating it. Though I was reluctant, Miel sensed something in the water and we allowed her to investigate," Aesteal said. Before I could even ask the question, I saw her fairmaid pop her head out of her chest pocket. I knew not when Aesteal named her fairmaid, but I suppose it was due to happen eventually.

"When she returned she shared her memories with me and it seems that there is a large structure, fashioned from mud, water, and enchanted stone. Miel would have gone deeper, but she claimed that the mana from it not only made her feel dizzy, but that it also seemed familiar to her. As Miel was one of the created creatures of the Alchemist, we believe this could be what he was pointing to in the tome you shared," Aesteal said.

I glanced at the fairmaid, and she looked at me, her eyes wide and hopeful for praise as well. Her wings flapped rapidly, just like Nei's when the lass was really excited. I'd seen all the fairmaids do that on more than one occasion.

"Aye, you've earned a reward for yourself as well. I shall be sure to deliver when I am able," I answered. Miel seemed pleased with my words as evidenced by the blush on Aesteal's face.

Finding myself amused, I turned back to the elves. "Then we shall see this structure of yours for ourselves. Pleasant work, all three of you," I complimented. They accepted the praise and we returned to the camp.

The men worked hard, setting up the teleportation arrays that I'd given to my mother from the tomes I'd read from Liara's library. The rest of the day was spent more leisurely for some than for others, namely me as always.

I'd managed to get four words out of An'raie before she settled back into silence.

"I shalt aid thee."

There was little a man might feel when he was wrung out like a whale's carcass from the reeling line like this. Had not we become eternally soulbound, I might have wondered if last night had simply been a figment of my imagination. Yet, I couldn't have simply fathomed such a night and I knew that An'raie couldn't forget it either. Even if we might attempt to deny such a matter, the Essence of Vilinlith would bring us together out of necessity lest An'raie be driven insane with pleasure.

Once the arrangements were finished, my crew busied themselves until the sun departed from the sky and the moon took its place. I gathered my men together and Cellanie had her associates join us. I judged the smirks on the crew and the fingering of their blades. The lot were rather excited, almost dangerously so. I couldn't say I didn't feel a measure of enthusiasm as well, but I figured I might need the calmer head lest I drag my crew into more mess like last time.

"We move out!" I said.

"FOR GREATER FAME AND GLORY!" My crew cheered.

I briefly eyed Diane and Goron. The latter hardly seemed to share in the promises of glory or exuberance, perhaps wishing to settle the matter quickly. As for the former, who else but her might have the flames of a warrior burning behind her gaze, wondering where she might next test her mettle?

When I looked at Cellanie and her men, many of them seemed rather nervous. Perhaps they thought I hadn't seen it, but I witnessed the way their eyes lingered on the young mage.

And yet, High Magister Demman's eyes remained as filled with greed as any pirate that I'd ever known. Behind his calm, calculating, earnest visage, I wondered just how many of Cellanie's men he might sacrifice if he knew the true booty that lay upon these lands.

Before we left, I called Maeloson to me. "Keep your eye on that guy. He'd make a good Draegnarian," I commented.

"Yes, Sir," Maeloson said before stepping back, wisely never letting his gaze quite land on Demman's.

With our campsite dismantled, and the fire pits stammed out, I led our men back on the Olipios dirt roads. Our way was illuminated by wooden torches while the crunch of rock and dirt moved beneath our feet. The land and trees that we'd known for a few days slowly disappeared behind us until they couldn't be made out anymore.

Like she promised, An'raie was with me, granting me vision through the darkness, while simultaneously helping me absorb the lingering traces of magic left by the Lich. Surprisingly, it wasn't as hard as I imagined. Bits of the process seemed almost natural to me. What once seemed so vile and foul to my skin now almost felt like a warm tarp on the cold nights aboard my ship. I reasoned this might be because of An'raie and her talents in the necromantic arts. Of course, I'd find my talents in such ways heightened from being with her. Though I certainly wasn't sure what she might take from me.

When we made it to the top of the hill, I surveyed Charon's Landing. The valley was wide and covered with multi-colored trees. A thick veil of rich, yet putrid green mana road from one end of the valley to the other. The scent of the dead marred our noses and the hairs on the back of my neck tingled. The valley gave off an almost eerie sensation. I imagined one wrong step would have us surrounded by hordes of undead ready to do their master's bidding.

With a wave of my hand, I urged us down the hill and into the valley. For all their excitement, my crew remained rather quiet and subdued during our journey, hugging anything they could for comfort.

"Let me tell ya. This reminds me of a time when I was a wee lad on Draegnar. I remember when the old bitch put me to sleep until I woke up one night to the sound of wailing. I thought it might be that old bitch again, my old man breaking 'nother bottle o'er her head. But it wasn't that. It reached out far, into the trees, the forests of Draegnar. Being the little shit I was, I snuck out and walked into the forests. No matter how far I walked, the wailing never got closer. As I walked, I couldn't help feeling I was being followed. In the dark, I swore I saw shapes move and heard leaves crunch though it wasn't the Season of Akimila. I wasn't sure how long I walked for, but I came upon one tree. It wasn't wailing, but somehow I knew it was the one. When I touched it, I thought it was looking at me, inspecting me, evaluating me like a fancy jeweler in the Merchant's Guild. Then, I felt something touch my foot. It was a branch, one that hadn't been there when I arrived. I tried to step back, but I couldn't move. Panicked, I struggled but the branches soon coiled around me, covering my mouth. I passed out at some point. When I woke up, the old bitch was screaming at me on the side of the road. Best be sure I be gettin' the same sense here," one of my crew told from behind me.

Someone else spoke. "Be there a point to this fucking story?" a woman asked.

"It was a spooky tree, Lass!" he urged.

"I'll be sure to carry my spoooooky fire with me, then. For fuck's sake, I'll give it something to wail over when I watch it burn to the fucking ground. I could have used that damn wailing when I was rummaging for wood next to iron barrel fire pits in the alleyways. Besides, in case you forgot, two of ours almost became plant food already. Your little trees are gonna have to do better than that," she said.

"Suppose the seedlings in ale were parts of the tree. If an unfortunate soul wound up drinking one, then their skin would slowly turn to bark, and their hair turn to leaves. Slowly, they'd have no more desire for ale, only water. Slowly, their feet turn to roots and they shuffle out into the forest where they're turned into trees themselves!" another said.

"Aye, that be the scariest shit that my ears have ever heard. To be fearful of the loyal tankard be a fear that no man shall ever conquer," one after him explained.

Somehow, that got my crew in a bit of a lighter mood as we continued, with the lot of them joking about the horrors of an empty bottle and or having their treasures taken away from them. "If only those trees had wailed to my first boyfriend. I think a tree branch would find a nice home in his ass given the other shit he tried to put up there," another lass commented.

The group laughed while we continued onward, An'raie and I working through the Lich's mana. If anything, the crew's jesting made it easier for me to focus on my task as we marched through the wide, mystical overgrowth. I absently watched Nei and Lei poke their heads out of my pockets. Lei would sniff the air every so often, opening her mouth to perhaps taste the rich mana floating above our heads and crawling beneath our feet.

As for Nei, she'd inhale the mana before exhaling through her mouth. Sometimes, a dissatisfied scowl would appear on her face before she crawled up my chest and settled back into my hair. I thought I might inquire about what she might be thinking, but she soon fell asleep without much care. I opted for leaving her alone to her own comfort.

Our travels were long and without much adventure. For five days, we walked through Charon's Landing. The Lich's mana continued to grow thicker and thicker, yet An'raie and I did away with the corrupting influence through our path. Along the way, we spotted numerous skeletons and ghouls. I had no doubts that they'd popped up during Aesteal and Maeloson's travels, perhaps searching for their quarries. Unfortunately for them, my elves must have been too fast or two stealthy to have been caught.

An'raie and I dispatched them easily, siphoning the Lich's mana from their bodies. With nothing to hold them together, the skeletons turned into piles of old, dusty bones and the ghouls couldn't even die with their corpses intact, instead fading away in piles of blackened ash.

We continued in this way until I sensed the full strength of the river just beyond the hill before us. Once we made it to the top, my crew and our associates were greeted with as decrepit a sight as we had imagined.

"Fucking shit. Never in all me days would I think Draegnar might not be the worst shithole to rot in," one of my crew said.

Others were quickly of the same mind while I surveyed the village. Just as Maeloson and Aesteal reported, I saw a handful of men and women in worn and torn garments for clothes. A handful of them lay near the river's edge, praying or lifting their hands. Some weep and wail with eyes of sorrow. Yet, their lips are filled with utterly insane mirth and reverence. Hell, a few of them even sang to the river, their ailing flesh barely held to their own bones.

"It is worse than I had imagined. I'd not thought such mana could be so concentrated and corrupt to such a degree. If only there was a means to send for aid," Cellanie muttered to herself.

"It wouldn't have mattered," Diane said, making the young mage glance at her.

"You best count your blessings that they aren't around. Such scalywags would have only served to entice the Lich's interest. With how it's been growing, it would have only been a matter of time before your friends were overrun and added to its collection. Perhaps you might have a chance if you might get a member of the Lightfeather or Balamar houses, but given that one of those is under some dire scrutiny right now, I doubt such aid would make it in time," I added. Cellanie then looked at me evenly, as did the rest of her people.

I could tell that Cellanie truly wished neither to believe my words nor dismiss the capabilities of the Mage Association, but her silence let me know that this might be where her thoughts were led.

"Erm, Captain, I think we were expected," a woman of my ship said, alerting the rest of us.

I turned back and bore witness to the uncomfortable sight of every eye in the town on our group. People who were once walking with nary a care in the world now stared upon us as if we'd somehow trespassed on holy ground. While there was no malice in their gaze, there was a nothingness there that I didn't like. Neither did I like the fact the ghouls were growing harder to dispel. I supposed it shouldn't have been impossible, considering we were right at the Lich's doorstep.

However, not even that was the biggest concern or the biggest reason for the grin on my face. It was the feeling of anger so deep that it touched my soul, it was the filling of An'raie's great mystic might flourishing through every pore within me. As sure as the moon wove the tides, and my ship sailed to parts unknown, so too did An'raie's rage only mean one thing.

The Alchemist had been here. It seemed this would be a more worthwhile trip than I'd thought. I wondered what the man might think when he realized his son had fallen to the wretched whims of his mother. I wondered what hellish things she might be putting upon him at this very moment.

"There is more toward this land than the wretched stench of the Betrayer," An'raie claimed, finally deciding to grace me with her utterings. I wasn't sure how I should think that the only reason she might talk to me now might be because of her current rumblings about her lost love, even if I somewhat enjoyed such a vengeful side.

"Aye. Even the little mage over there senses it," I said, taking notice of the way Cellanie looked at the surroundings curiously. Even the mages in my group did so. Aesteal and Maeloson were a little more neutral, but I imagined they would have had the same expressions had we all journeyed here for the first time.

"Ticuk tallama itc stulilu manna deserete xirn te!" Nz'ia growled, even going so far as to sniff the ground while others watched.

"While I'm not about to smell the dirt like that guy, I think I get what he's saying. This place feels fucking off. I don't know why though," Naala said, rubbing her shoulder and arms.

My mother took the time to step next to me. "Yeah, even their sails are blowing," she said, pointing down to the fairmaid in her shirt pocket. The lass looked into the air, her wings flapping wildly, taking in the mana from the air.

The same could be said for Nei and Lei, or any of their other sisters. Nei took in the mana more readily than the others, her wings glowing in beautiful, yet numerous colors. The same could be said of Lei, only that hers were less vibrant.

Curiously, I wielded the Mark of Hoɖ and looked down at the village, more precisely the river. And, that proved to be a mistake on my end.

There was mana, a lot of mana, more than all five isles of Delverhold combined. Had I not deactivated the Mark of Hoɖ quickly, I would have gone blind from the bright magic swirling about in the air. I even nearly lost my balance, falling back only to be caught by Goron. I rubbed my eyes, resisting the urge to scream in agony.

"Eric? Eric, what the fuck happened?!"

I distinctly heard the sound of my mother's frantic inquiries while my ears rang with humming noise. Somewhere, amid my pain, I even heard An'raie groan. I realized she must have felt the same sensations I did.

Goron took me to the ground, and I sat there, continuing to rub my ears while the others crowded around me.

"C-Cursed! This place be cursed! Even the captain was felled before we could even step foot into the village!" someone exclaimed.

"And to think your fucking ass wanted to just kick the bastards outta their homes and sleep in those barely standing pieces of rotten wood," another interrupted.

It didn't take long for my crew to descend into arguing and rambling. I could just imagine the looks on those of the Mage Association. No doubt they might have expected such a reaction sooner or later from such a lot as mine.

"Shut up! All of you, shut up! I ain't dead yet! Quit yer bellyachin'!" I roared, waving my hand and forcing their mouths shut. A few murmured while I continued to rub my eyes.

"Sir, can we do anything for you?" Aesteal asked.

Aye, Aesteal could beat me over the fucking head with every ratline aboard my ship. I'd welcome being knocked unconscious right now. Of course, I doubted she'd be willing to do that, even for me. Perhaps Diane might be more forthcoming with what I desired.

"Just gimme a minute," I grumbled, weaving water from the air and splashing it on my face. It would seem that I'd have to be careful of such things in the future, especially with An'raie tied to me now.

"So much for the mighty pirate captain. Surely, we all shall die here."

For Cellanie's benefit, I decided to ignore the mutterings of High Magister Demman. Even with my eyes closed, I recognized his voice amongst the others. Despite his seedy disposition, he spoke rather eloquently, perhaps spending much of his time around the noble and rich.

After some time, the pain in my eyes finally settled. I breathed a little easier and slowly opened my eyes. I found myself thankful for the fog since there wasn't any harsh light to make seeing any more difficult. I vigorously rubbed my head and wiped the sweat from my brow.

When my sight was more focused, I noticed everyone staring at me. Yet, I found myself grinning when I noticed the concerned expressions on the faces of my lovers, namely Aesteal and my mother. I offered them a look of reassurance while Goron pulled me to my feet. I stumbled momentarily but found my balance soon after.

When I looked back at the village, I saw its residents still looking at us, their eyes unblinking. Hell, I was sure they looked like they hadn't even moved one inch from where they'd stopped to view us.

"So what the fuck happened to you?" My mother asked.

I turned my attention to her and the rest of my crew. "There is great mana here, greater than what should be possible. It's even grander than what the Alchemist had in his lands. There were so many runes floating about the land that their brightness nearly blinded me. This undead scourge likely found the perfect place to cultivate its wretched prowess. It also ain't no coincidence that it found this spot where the Alchemist noted in that journal. Should we add this to the fact that Aesteal's fairmaid discovered something beneath the river, then I think we just might have struck gold," I claimed.

Apparently, that word was all it took for my crew's expressions to change from concern to mischievous greed.

"Then what we be waiting for, Cap'n?! Let's get to plunderin'!" someone exclaimed with the others rallying in agreement. My mother shook her head while Diane rolled her eyes.

"Not to put a damper on such... activities, but I have to question the nature of this circumstance. While I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around this mysterious, yet legendary figure, it would logically appear that he mentioned something led him to this location. If he was led here, then why does such vast quantities of mana remain? The captain even commented that it was vastly superior to what was held on this... isles from a previous venture. Surely, he wouldn't have allowed such power to remain if he came here long before you," Cellanie mentioned, dampening the mood of my crew.

I watched Diane hum. "Damn. Good to see you Association guys aren't the fucking amateurs I thought you were. In case you bastards aren't aware, we don't got the captain's knowledge to see us through this time. We all probably would have wound up dead if he didn't know what he was doing back on Delverhold. If it's gonna be an even stronger presence, then how about we not run for our asses while the whole of Olipios sinks this time?" Diane argued.

My crew became a bit more even-tempered following that while I surveyed the rest of the lands. "Well, we shall never find the answer simply standing up here. Head down into the village. If any bastard tries to make trouble, then best you introduce the lot to Draegnarian hospitality. Naala, Diane, Goron, you lot and the mages be with me," I ordered.

"And what are we supposed to do? Twirl our pistols and sing sea shanties all the day long?" My mother inquired.

I matched her gaze only for a moment. I then smiled. "If the men want to plunder so badly, then do not deny them. Perhaps there shall be things worth their salt and sweat around the river. Let them dig if they wish," I claimed.

Shrugging, my mother agreed while I led us down into the village. The members of the Mage Association remained close to me, watching cautiously as the land's inhabitants continued to survey our every move. A few of them seemed to be mumbling, their ghastly faces and bodies riddled with numerous ailments.

As Aesteal reported, some even stood on the wooden porches of their homes, their doors as wide open as the entrance into their town. Nz'ia growled, eyeing the dirty beastmen that we'd passed along our way to the river.

"Bastards gimme the creeps. They don't even fucking blink," one person said, our boots digging into the rough ground of the roads.

"Not strong enough to handle a few sick bastards and bitches?" another man inquired.

"It ain't that. I could handle a damn cluster of giant spiders. Doesn't mean I want to," the one person replied.

Once we made it to the river, I left my mother in charge while we went our separate ways. Naala, Diane, and Goron followed close behind me with all the members of the Mage Association not far behind.

"It seems strange. Judging by the severity of the sickness inflicted upon these poor men and women, many of them shouldn't even be alive. If it's the Lich that's causing this outbreak, then why would it keep them alive? Surely, it would be better to have no one in its vicinity. What does it need them for?" one of the mages in Cellanie's group inquired.

"It is rather unusual. I struggle to ascertain a reason even with all the time we've spent. I reasoned that it might be for experimental purposes. Numerous mages have delved into the forbidden arts while searching for knowledge. Given that it rampaged through the towns along Olipios' western line, with every city and town abandoned, it would be strange that this one would be left standing. Perhaps it remains because the locals have instead deified the river and the Lich behind it. Perhaps it wishes not to kill them all at once, or... it could be using them to test something," Cellanie theorized.

"Well, you certainly can't test things properly on a withered husk of skin with nothing else behind it. At the very least not without the proper artifacts to use, and believe me, those things aren't quite so easy to come by or create," Diane interjected

The others continued to ponder the Lich's motives while I took us over the bank of the river. An'raie and I continued to take in the wretched mana, keeping it away from Cellanie's group and even my crew. While many of them would have good resistance to such corrupting forces, spending too much time amongst such malevolent forces would find its way into their bodies if left alone.

While I tried to pay attention to the conversation, my thoughts lay elsewhere. I sensed the numerous strange beasts in the river, mutated and deformed from the Lich's power. Even the very ground itself reeked of death and decay. The fallen leaves were lashed with traces of dark green mana, and the trees were withered like they'd been stripped of all water. How anything might find itself living here was nothing short of a miracle.

Our journey took us around the river bank until I felt we were far enough along. I grabbed Nei and Lei while Naala and Diane grabbed their fairmaids.

"By the High Magister!" one of the mages inquired in shock while Nei briefly looked at them in disinterest. Lei was a bit more amicable, but her gaze swiftly turned back to me.

"Think you might be able to scour the river for anything beneath? Best you not push your luck. The river shall corrupt even you if you take too long," I warned.

Nei and Lei turned their heads to the river. "Mate not worry. Nei and sisters work hard," Nei replied. She then jumped out of my hands and into the water with Lei right behind her. The other two fairmaids jumped in behind them. Their fins splashed at the water, causing a few small ripples before they disappeared beneath the water.

"What do you need them for? Shouldn't it be easy for you to just part the river and find what we're looking for?" Diane asked.

"Aye, that I could. However, Nei and her sisters have persisted without a large body of water for some time now. Plus, I'd rather they not grow bored sitting around doing nothing. Such idleness be the ruin of many men's minds. Besides, Nei has expressed a willingness to get further involved. I shall not deny her," I answered, reaching into my coat for some supplies.

I turned my head, watching Naala kick a stone into the water. "Well, no offense, but the sooner they find this thing we're looking for, the better. This fucking place creeps me the hell out. Nothing here seems natural. Always feel like something's watching us. Kinda glad for that teleport thing back at camp. You're a good lay, Captain, but there ain't enough gold in the world to make me sleep here," my brown-skinned powder monkey uttered.

That got a laugh outta Diane. "Oh come on, if you can survive Draegnar, then you can survive a few sickly residents. If you're worried about catching any illness, then you'll be fine. Your bodies have been tempered enough that it'd be very unlikely that any normal disease would be inflicted upon you," Burnwood replied.

"It's not the damn diseases! Draegnar's probably got more of them than this shithole does. It's the feeling I'm getting from this place. It's bad, and I don't like bad when I can't shoot it!" Naala returned.

In amusement, I watched Diane make a face like she knew where Naala was coming from. I then turned my attention back to what I was doing, creating another teleportation array within the dirt of the river bank. Assuming this took longer than I hoped, I'd rather not make the journey here over the days, and I sure as hell wished not to stay in this place with all these people staring upon my crew.

I'd not forgotten about what Aesteal and Maeloson told me. In the dead of night, beneath the tree they'd camped at, the residents had not only found them but kept ranting and raving throughout the night. The two even switched trees and were still found.

For that to happen to Aesteal and Maeloson, of all people in my crew, informed me that such a matter need be handled carefully.

"E-Excuse me, Eric Drakclaw..."

I turned my head, taking notice of one of the Association mages stepping forward. This one seemed even more scholarly than Cellanie. Though he might be a man, his build was rather thin with pale skin and his voice was more on the lighter side. Strangely, I imagined him the type that some stronger men might fancy in a dark corner of a brothel house.

"What do you want, boy? Speak up," I said as I handed a jar to Goron. He didn't even need to be told what to do. Instead, he opened the jar and poured its contents over the circle I'd made.

I heard Diane utter something between a snort and a chuckle. No doubt she found a bit of amusement in the fact that I might be even younger than the lad behind me. Nevertheless, she didn't expound on her amusement.

Instead, the mage stepped forward. "Could you please explain what those creatures were? I help study new species, and I've never seen such a type of mermaid before. Of the tribes of mermaids who have allied with us, I've never known one to house wings. What are they?" he asked, his voice doing little to hide its high intrigue.

"The Isles of Delverold were a great place. The lot of you surely missed out on the opportunity to explore its vastness and its cruel wonders. Nei and her sisters were born upon that island, created from the twisted mind of the Alchemist. Created from the bodies of fairies and mermaids, there be none like them in all of D'orn," I answered.

I heard the mage gasp. "Such a creation was possible? It flies in the face of the Association's teachings dating back even ten thousand years ago. Many professors speculated the history between fairies and mermaids, but there wasn't enough substantial evidence to prove such. This is phenomenal. First, the body of the frozen giant, and now these creatures. The world of magic shall experience a great rebirth because of this! Eric Drakclaw, you must let me study them!" he said excitedly.

"There be many things I must do, and I shall warn you to mind the excitement in your voice. Ask Nei if she would wish to be studied, I shall not deny her interests. However, I warn you to tread carefully. Reach out your hand too far and you'll find the rest of your body missing from it," I claimed, casting a glare upon him.

He wisely took a step back while his associates looked at me nervously. However, though I spoke the words to him, I made sure they were further directed to the others who could hear. I, more than anyone, might know the temptation of opportunity and greed.

Following that, Goron and I finished the teleportation array, which gained the interest of another mage who looked at it in fascination. She constructed a copy of the array by drawing it in the air with a mana-tipped finger.

"I see. The matrix is held together by the formula here. I'd not considered such a thing to be possible."

That statement led to the mages having their own little lecture regarding the array until Nei and her sisters returned. The group fell into a hush while they crawled out of the water. I walked over and picked up Nei and Lei while Naala and Diane collected their fairmaids.

I noticed how concerned Nei seemed. "Mate, come!" she said, holding out her arms along with Lei

Curious, I leaned my head down, and they touched my forehead with their own. I was then filled with their memories. I saw everything as they swam through the waters and the creatures they'd encountered. The Lich's mana ran deep through the river, turning its marine life into the stuff of nightmares. Skeletons of fish swam through the waters, grotesque beasts deformed and wretched crawled along the ground as if scrapping the sand for any morsel of flesh to consume.

However, beyond that, I saw the reason for our traveling here. As Aesteal's fairmaid said, there was indeed a strange structure down there. As best I could describe it, it looked like something of a mountain beneath the river. Along its body were numerous runes carved into the mud and rock.

Surprisingly, none of the creatures got close to the structure. They'd swim as close as they could to it, but then suddenly steer clear of it like it was the damned plague. Nei tried to get closer to it, but I witnessed her vision fade more than once. She soon gave up getting close to it and surveyed the rest of the surroundings.

Even for Nei's eyes, the water was very murky, but she soldiered onward and I spotted similar, yet vastly smaller structures that surrounded the larger one. Nei swam close to them with Lei right behind her. When I judged the runes etched into these structures, I found myself remembering bits of Liara's memories. The runes were meant for the merging of separate forces into a single one, but I knew not what purpose it might serve.

It was only when Lei swam further down that I grew speechless. I started to understand when she swam near the far bottom. Down there was a cave and she swam into it. The undersea cave opened up to a glorious cavern filled with glowing green stones. Though they were a sight for the eyes, it wasn't the stones that made me marvel, instead, it was the runes on the wall. I'd seen those runes before, only one time in my life. I remembered those runes in the burning heat of the desert sun in a place that not even I'd been able to crack.

Once I separated from Nei and Lei, my thoughts ran the whole of D'orn and back again. I stood up and faced the others.

"It's be one of the Ten Yalorian Crypts," I said.

"What?!" Diane immediately exclaimed. Not even Goron could hide his surprise, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Are you sure?" he asked slowly.

I didn't fault Goron's disbelief. More than the Alchemist, more than even her Ascension, Liara desired the Ten Yalorian Crypts. It was how I'd garnered her fancy aboard my ship so many months ago. In my first life, I'd discovered one in a faraway desert. I'd been unable to open it and had to give up on entering it. Never would I have thought that I'd have a second chance upon such an endeavor.

The Ten Yalorian Crypts were rumored to be structures of vast magical might and wealth. To even happen upon one was to obtain enough power and gold to purchase the whole of the world fifteen times over. Of course, there was no recorded claim of what lay within them, but this was surely something even the Alchemist of Delverhold would have sought vigorously.

Many who knew of the Crypts even reasoned that conquering all ten crypts was to open the very gates into Olympus itself. Granted, there was hardly a way to prove such things since no one had ever managed to open one, at least not in my time. Not even I was capable of it.

Why such crypts would find themselves on a dirtball like D'orn was also something I didn't understand. It also didn't help that Liara's knowledge offered me no explanation either. Much to my surprise, it wasn't even because she barred the knowledge from me. As far as I was aware, she sailed through the same deep fog as I did.

Naturally, she'd looked into the issue extensively, traded information and even some favors for insight, yet it all refused to sate any curiosity she might have about the origins of such structures. While I knew Liara had no knowledge of every matter that concerned the realms, or the spaces beyond them, I still found myself amazed that there might be knowledge even she didn't possess.

"Aye. The markings on the wall of the cavern below these mountains beneath the river be the same as the ones I saw in a desert long ago. It might explain why I was blinded so easily. There was more mana here than the whole of the East put together," I claimed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Demman frown. "Impossible. Such a magnitude of mana would be sensed by any talented mage in this group. While I cannot speak for your men, and their... aptitude for the fine art, I believe our group has many dedicated mana sensors. They would have noticed long ago that such a store of rich quality was here," he mentioned, staring up at the sky.

Rather than reply, I heard Naala chuckle and Diane snort. Goron hardly looked amused, yet his face remained impartial. And, judging by the way the High Magister's face contorted in frustration, I imagined our dismissal of his group's talents hadn't gone unnoticed.

"How do we open it then?" Goron asked.

Aye, that was the fucking question I dreaded the most, and it seemed that my silence was all the confirmation the others needed. I simply had no idea.

Unfortunately, I had no experience with the Ten Yalorian Crypts save for trying to bash the fucking door down with water and lots of bullets. I knew not what to expect from them and such a thought concerned me. To bring my mother, or any of my lovers, into such a treacherous place without any knowledge of it beforehand sounded even worse than treachery itself.

"Heh, the mighty pirate captain Eric Drakclaw, too frightened to venture into a place of wealth, power, and glory. What might me crew think if they could see me now?" I thought.

I then chuckled momentarily, perhaps confusing those around me. Had I ever harbored such a fear before? That said, leaving was hardly an option. The crew had already wished to see more and I imagined the lasses in my company would sooner berate me for such notions. Besides, had I not done all this work to them and for them in preparation of such events? Care though I might, coddle I would never.

"I don't know. As I said, I never really got around to opening the other. Even with as much might as I was capable of wielding at the time, I couldn't force an entrance. However, there be a measure of fortune to this. By Aesteal's report, those villagers pray to the river damn near every night. When the fog rolls in a being goes and takes one or two. If this being is in service to the Lich, or the Lich itself, then it had to have used the power of the Yalorian Crypt to grow so powerful," I said.

Diane picked up on my thought and smirked. "You wanna tail one of them to see how the Lich opened the crypt," she said.

As always, I could tell Cellanie and her group had a bit of a problem with my plan, especially given the state of the villagers. However, none of them seemed to voice their concerns. I already knew that had it been Alteria, she would have riddled me with headaches on thinking of ways to prevent such an outcome.

"As good a plan as that is, astral projection isn't a forte of mine or Goron's, and sorry to say, but it sure as hell isn't yours either. I doubt you'd get far, or did you forget your last experience with that shit?" Diane questioned.

I most certainly hadn't forgotten the fucking arrow Maeloson shot through my chest, thus wounding my soul in the process. I remembered how lethargic I felt because of it. Hell, Maeloson being possessed only made it harder for me since I couldn't very well punish him, especially not since the problem had sort of been my fault back in the black spire on the first island.

"Aye, perhaps not, but you forget that I have a lass more than capable in the necromantic arts that no Lich might be able to compare to. We have a means to handle it," I said.

Diane and Goron looked at me curiously. I noticed Cellanie did as well until we all heard the crunch of forest leaves.

"Have you come to receive the glorious blessing of The Styx as well? Hehehhahaheuhgh. It might be a long time for such healthy-looking people, but give it some time. You'll have your turn soon enough... hueueheueheue!"

In haste, we turned our heads and spotted what looked like an ailing old man with sackcloth that seemed much too big for such a frail body draped over his head. Hell, the only thing that gave him away was his decrepit voice void of a life and meaning, and his wide, yet boney feet.

He approached us slowly and I felt An'raie stir within me. "'Tis best that thee exercise caution. This old soul has great power that dwelleth upon him," she warned, finally breaking the long silence with me.

I wasn't about to fault her caution. It was damn near impossible for anyone to sneak up on me. Much less should it have been possible to sneak up on Diane, Goron, and Naala. When you lived in Draegnar, you learned to keep your head on a swivel lest your head swivel on down the street separated from your shoulders.

I refused to imagine that an old man might be so stealthy through crushed leaves as to sneak up on us. It also seemed like Nei, Lei, and their sisters agreed with me. The four snarled at the old man, hissing even through their sharp teeth.

"Mate, careful. Teeth, many teeth! Beast!" Nei claimed.

While I needed no further warning from Nei, her words only solidified my earlier suspicions.

"Captain, did we just get snuck up on by an old man in the middle of a forest in near the Autumn Festival?" Naala asked quietly.

"Aye, that we did," I answered.

I frowned as I watched one of Cellanie's men carefully approach the man. "Sir, you shouldn't be out here. It's dangerous!" the mage said.

It didn't take long for even Cellanie's men to grow suspicious when the man sniffed the woman in front of him. "Mmmmm, you though. You might be ready. The river calls for you specially," he said.

"U-Um c-calls?" she asked, slowly stepping away from him.

Boldly, Cellanie grabbed her friend and pulled her away before she faced the man. "What is your name?" she inquired.

"Kekekekekeke, what use is a name when I shall be one with the mighty Styx soon enough? Soon, we all shall be one in the river. Oh, that beautiful river of death that shame claim our wretched bodies. Once sickly flesh shall become as smooth as water and as unified as droplets. Not one, but all in due time," he said, his robbed hands rubbing together like a man void of all sense.

I watched Naala reach for her pistol. Even Goron seemed to be on edge, steadily reaching his hands into his pockets. A part of me was almost willing to let this matter play out if only to see how Goron might continue to make sense of the situation. Never, even in my first life, had I been granted witness to his use of his impressive stature.

Nevertheless, it seemed I still might not be granted such a sight because Cellanie must have noticed as well. She quickly signaled Naala and Goron to be at ease. She then bravely approached the man, albeit slowly.

"Sir, I bid you peace that shall last until all mana units itself once again. Please, can you explain to us more of the River Styx? We've heard tales of it, and rumors of its grandeur. Plus, if you'd like we have the means to hasten your great end. Perhaps the Styx shall choose you next," she said, shocking many in her group. Even Naala whistled.

"Damn. Never knew she had it in her," my powder monkey whispered.

"She doesn't," Goron answered, his voice a low bellow.

Apparently, Cellanie's group didn't share in Goron's assessment. One pulled her to the side. "Cellanie, have you gone mad? Killing the innocent is strictly prohibited in the halls of the Mage Association! Never mind the pirate, if you do this you'll be throwing away your very future. I won't allow such a travesty!" a young male mage said.

I watched Cellanie frown. She looked at me briefly and then turned to her friend. "Would you think so less of me? Do not be afraid. I know what I'm doing," she said. She released the man's hold of her and walked back to the robed man.

"Keheheheh! So the tales of the river's power have grown as far as the West? Perhaps I was wrong. You might be ready for the Styx as well, little lady! You have traveled so far, would you not like to join our village? Share in the wonders of The River?" he asked.

Cellanie fixed her glasses. One glance at the water in her body told me that she wasn't as confident as she appeared. Her chest was beating and the water was flowing with the blood through every part og her body that it could get to.

"You're most kind. Do not think us foolish if have questions before we decide. After all, there are tales of many strange things, many founded on the fears of men and the dreams of great spirits. A few questions and this is all yours," she said, holding up a small vial of green fluid that she pulled from her pocket.

"'Tis a shrewder woman than I hath thought," An'raie complimented.

"Aye. It be a very powerful potion meant for the healing of the mind and body, an invaluable piece of medicine. It should be easy to assess the threat depending on how he reacts to it," I replied as we all continued to watch.

The hooded man didn't speak for a little bit before he chuckled. "My beautiful Styx. Soon I shall be a part of thee," he said, holding out his hands. His rob slipped momentarily. Even Cellanie stepped back in shock when we saw hundreds of black, slimy blob-like leeches stuck to his decrepit skin. His flesh was marred with open wounds like holes that appeared to be dug through. Had he been afflicted with Shark's Bite then he'd be an even worse case than my mother, if such a thought should even be possible.

He opened his hand and Cellanie dropped the vial into it. He clasped the vial and hid it beneath his robe. The short-haired woman noticed this. "Are you not going to drink it?" she asked. I hoped she didn't sound as desperate to him as she did to me.

"It will be better tonight for I shall be the sickest of them all and shall be chosen. Now, speak that I might fill you with knowledge!" he said.

And fill us with knowledge the old man did. It seemed that this LIch had been here for a very long while, even longer than either Cellanie and I reasoned. The old man said that the entire village had been believing in the legend of the River since he was but a lad as well. Supposedly, it started around the time of his great-grandfather. Sickly men and women would disappear and the elderly would begin hearing strange voices. Many doctors and mages visited the town since many, unbelieving in the river, reasoned the supernatural circumstance to be simply a wicked plague.

Unfortunately, the doctors and mages who visited were of no help. Many of them disappeared as well, only their clothes and belongings remaining. It wasn't until a fortunate, or unfortunate soul, survived that he spread the word of the River Styx. Supposedly, he'd been called right out of his home and he was greeted by the ferryman, Charon. The ferryman told him to spread the word to the rest of the village. He announced that the illness was the River Styx's way of choosing the next likely occupants. Those who held their faith would be greatly honored and presented with great unity of mind free from all disease in the calm embrace of the river.

It seemed not everyone believed so at the start, but as more and more people disappeared, with even the powerful guards of Olipios falling victim, it didn't take long for many to fall in line.

When asked about how they could sustain themselves, the old man cackled. He claimed that those who continued to show great faith and perseverance in waiting were granted wonderful boons. For those less sickly than others, they often traveled far to sell the wares offered to them which were in turn traded for food and drink.

Much to even my surprise, Cellanie inquired why the town not simply take the matter of their deaths in their own hands. The old man spat on the ground. "Such a death would only bring great disunity upon the river and to our friends and neighbors who have gone before us. How could The Messenger honor one who dares show such sacrilege? Never speak of such a matter again if you wish to be accepted," he said.

Cellanie continued to inquire more of him until he'd had enough of the questions.

"You shall understand when the blessed river takes you, young woman. I hope to see you tonight," he said as he slithered back into the forest.

My eyes looked down, and I briefly saw the state of his feet, or namely what was on them. They looked to be ankle bands with beautifully fashioned emeralds etched into their metal. It was then that I realized the malevolent force that instilled so much wariness in us had been from those accessories.

Acting quickly, An'raie held out her hand and gathered up all of the malignant mana in the bands. She then held it in her palm, gazing upon it with a stern expression.

"Wouldst this be from my old coven, then I wouldst find myself disappointed. Such mana hath been filled with so much impurity. Though the force is rather impressive, 'twould hardly be better than a few months of use before the bands broken under the weight of so much rudimentary might. For one to have happened upon a Crypt of the Ancient realm, yet still fail so spectacularly shalt be worthy of its own praise," An'raie claimed.

I smiled. "You think like a mage, An'raie. The man said he's been wearing that shit since he was but a lad. Clearly, the Lich simply planned on expanding its business. No doubt stories of the Styx told by people who sell this damn shit would bring in many curious folk. The more you bring in, the more experiments you might conduct. Best of all, who be able to stop you if you're fueled by the might of the Crypt?" I inquired.

An'raie remained silent for a moment. "Thou hast made thine point. However, thee wouldst remember that there are many spirits who wouldst dare not be so favorable to having their followers being seduced away. Such a reckoning shalt indeed fall upon this Lich one day," An'raie claimed.

"Then best we make sure we strip the crypt clean before they seek to act on their vengeance," I replied.

Following that encounter, I returned to the town and gathered my crew together. Thankfully, the gaze of the visitors had lessened considerably. There was the occasional stare, but nothing quite so uncomfortable as before.

Once my crew was gathered, I found us all in a lonely spot and teleported the lot back to our old camp. "Fuck. Never thought I'd be so happy to leave a place so quickly," Naala said, stretching her back and pushing her chest out. I'd say she did this on purpose given the smirk she gave me along with a wink.

I entertained her flirtations for a time before my crew approached me.

"Cap'n, what gives? The sun ain't even ready to set in a few hours and we already be back here with a lick of salt 'n shit to show for it. We've been walking fer fucking days, only lotting rundown homes and deserted capitals. It ain't feeling like much glory right now," one of them said, folding his arms in front of me.

While others weren't quite so bold, I could tell a few of them had the same thought.

"Gyaahahaha... come on, Laddies. When hasn't the Captain shown us something fucking spectacular? Not every adventure needs the crew's lives to be at risk. 'Sides, in case a few of you bastards have missed it, the Captain's had a grin on his face since he arrived in town. Best known he got something for us!" Daven claimed, slapping the shoulder of the one who spoke prior.

Perhaps I ought to reward Daven with a few barrels of fine ale when this whole matter was settled. If nothing else, he granted me a reprieve from the myriad of questions threatening to spout themselves from the mouths of my crew.

"Aye, that I do. Whether you shall like it or not, shall be upon your own heads. Should we find a means of entering this place then know that ye'll stand to gain even vaster wealth than what Delverhold had," I claimed.

For all their complaining, it didn't take long for the eyes of my ship to widen. Greed glossed over their eyes as their lips cracked eager smiles.

"Then what we be waitin' fer! Let's crack open that fucking village like a brothel wench's legs and claim our fill of booty!" one exclaimed while others roared over the area.

Unfortunately, for them, I forcefully ceased their cheers and wove their heads to look at me. "Aye, aye, it has the potential of being a grand haul. However, dare you to think that such wealth and glory would have itself out with no one to oversee it? The wealth shall indeed be plentiful, but so shall the danger. I ain't gonna hand-feed it to you, I have no idea what to expect this time," I said.

Ah, there were the worried expressions that I expected. Elated pirates of the sea quickly turned into nervous lubbers of the land. While a few of them weren't quite so sure what the problem was, having joined my crew after the events of Delverhold, the majority were still very much aware of what I might be going with this. Many had grown confident simply because I'd had the foreknowledge of events to lead the men safely, or as safely as I could given my seas-damned hubris at the time.

"W-What accursed place be this, Captain?" a woman asked, fingering the handle of her dagger with uncertainty.

"It be a legend so old that not even Liara knew much of their proper origin. A Yalorian Crypt. Said to house immeasurable wealth and power. To discover all ten crypts was to, supposedly, be granted a seat amongst the denizens of Olympus. Of course, that be just a rumor that has been passed down in little fantasy tales. No one knows what they might do save for the bastard who created them, and I doubt we'll have the fortune of running into such a lad," I said.

"Or lass!" another woman of my crew called, earning the laughs of my crew.

"Or Lass," I echoed, bits of irritation seeping into my voice.

I noticed my mother step forward. "So what should we do? We've still got your Lich guy to worry about. If the crypt is beneath the river and the Lich is there, given that fucking horrid feeling we've all sensed since we've gone in that town, then clearly that thing's been sucking off this powerful mana more than..." My mother opened her mouth to speak, yet found her words unwilling to proceed out of her mouth.

"More than a tavern wench sucks of a wayward patron for extra tips?!" a man asked.

Finally, my mother held her head down and rubbed her temple. "Please, just get us inside the fucking place before you're short a few of the men," she answered, looking back at me.

"Aye, you love us, lass. Ain't no better humor than Draegnarian humor!" another reasoned.

I decided to move the conversation along lest my mother try out her training with Diane on an unfortunate soul. Granted, I always did love to watch my mother fuck a bastard up.I looked toward her and exhaled. "Simple, Mother. We don't need to find the entrance as a guest will more than likely lead us to it," I said.

My mother and the others looked at me curiously, and I found it rather amusing that their confidence in me didn't grow even as I told them my plan for the night. Of course, I had to assure Aesteal a few times that my soul had been strengthened beyond what it was during Delverhold. Should an attack come upon An'raie and I, we'd at least be able to defend against it. Of course, I made sure that enough preparations would see to me not having a damaged soul this time.

By the end, I dismissed the crew to continue things at their leisure. I then noticed Aesteal and Maeloson come before me along with Diane, Goron, Naala, and my mother.

"Tell me, Goron. Given what Liara has researched of the Crypts, how would you measure her reaction toward what she had learned?" I asked.

Goron frowned, glancing off to the side momentarily. "Lady Liara was known to express great interest. She went through a great deal to ascertain more knowledge about the crypts and even their whereabouts. However, I would say that after countless searches, much of her expectations were fairly low, at least until she met you," he said.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "A pirate captain and his crew, many of whom are hardly trained in mystical manners shall settle upon a great precipice that none have dared venture in before. However, I think the lot of us know that crypts are meant to bury things," I said.

The others agreed. "It just means that there's something buried down there that someone wouldn't wish to be discovered, especially with such a grandiose burial site," Maeloson reasoned.

"And there's ten of those damn things as well. Eric, you mentioned the end of D'orn before you were sent back to the past. Could it have been because of the crypts?" My mother asked.

Ask me not why it did me heart good to see such curious intellect seep through the ever-evolving mind of my mother, but I found myself smirking at her.

"What?" she asked.

Rather than reply, I directed my thoughts to her question. "While it might not be impossible, Liara made no mention of it before she faded from me. If anything, she claimed that my death had been the start of it all. Even with the memories that she's granted me, there's no mention of the Crypts. She could be hiding it from me, yet I'd see no reason to do so if it were directly correlated to me," I voiced.

"Perhaps it would be because your experience might not be genuine would you have the proper foresight. Many teachers in Fgg'rial believed that 'knowing everything about a trial can bring even more danger than the trial itself.' Additionally, I believe there is nothing to say that it has to be a burial site. The kingdom's temple had many crypts below it, housing many ancient and revered artifacts which have become the pride of our people. No dead are buried there, not even the kings and queens," Aesteal explained.

I saw Diane shrug her shoulders then. "I think all this fucking guessing is just gonna piss us off. It might be better to think about what's actually in there when we've got the fucking thing open first. Then, out of all of us, you'll have to be careful the most!" Diane claimed, pointing at me.

Intrigued, I approached her. "And why might that be?" I asked.

"Cause, we don't like you losing your freaky shit a second time. We can't afford to be handing you strange stones on the off chance that you fucking pass out again," she uttered, removing the smile from my face.

"Right, those moonstone things. Well, we could just give the captain some gloves. Maybe they don't work if the skin's covered," Naala reasoned.

"Not sure I'm willing to risk our lives or his on that assumption, but I guess it might be the best option we have currently, aside from the captain having a constant flow of mana separating him from all else, but I doubt anyone has such refined control as that," Diane said, angrily rubbing her hair.

She then jabbed me in my shoulder. "Just don't get yourself killed!" she exclaimed.

I wondered if perhaps this might be Diane's way of affection and worry. While rather odd to witness from her, I wouldn't say I disliked such a rare side. I doubted many would be so privileged to see it.

"'Fret not, Diane. Even should I lose my powers, I shall not be felled so easily. Now, go about your day, all of you. I'll need to prepare," I said.

The group walked away while I took a small breath of Olipios' air. I thought about Diane's concerns and Aesteal's elven teachings. Perhaps it was true that the crypts had something to do with D'orn's annihilation, but my thoughts availed me no answers.

Instead, I focused on An'raie. Though we were set to work together, still she ignored me. Though she seemed so far away, her soul never felt closer to mine. I embraced many sensations from her. Feelings of anger and rage barely held together under a mask of indifference, feelings of uncertainty, and even feelings of intense longing just to name a few. I knew that she sought me and, she likely knew it too. It was impossible for either of us to notice, which only served to confuse me about her hesitance.

Either way, I received no answer to that problem. Somehow, I still knew this might be the wrong time to approach An'raie about the matter so I left her until the dead of night. I removed myself from my tent while my lovers slept. When I walked out, I noticed Maeloson sitting by a fire.

"Should you not be sleeping?" I asked.

He glanced at me. "I have a strange feeling. I think it would be best if I protect your body while you're gone," he answered.

There was something in his answer that I didn't like, yet I knew not from where my concerns came. Instead, I spotted Cellanie approach us, a purposeful look behind her gaze. Maeloson noticed her as well, though he spoke not a single greeting to her.

"Eric Drakclaw, I wish to speak with you," she said directly.

While I knew what she meant, I couldn't resist the urge to mess with the lass as I looked around the campsite. "Then speak your piece, Lass. 'Tis late and you'll have need of your own materials once the morn comes," I said, unable to keep the amusement off my face.

However, that amusement didn't stay for long because I felt just the smallest surge of lust enter my body. It wasn't the same as excited lust that might be shared with me amongst my lovers. Instead, it seemed to be more a lust of shame, a lust that perhaps a man or woman shared knowing they were about to commit something that they shouldn't.

"I would beseech you that we speak in private. Please?" she asked.

I noticed Maeloson glance at me, but I patted his shoulder and let him know that I'd be fine. "Aye, fine," I said, finding the wind flown out of my sails.

Cellanie thanked me and walked away with me close behind her.

We traveled a fair ways away until we found ourselves alone. "Alright, what do you want? Especially, that you had to wait until so late to come to me?" I asked.

Cellanie didn't answer me right away. Instead, I saw her eyes wander off as if she might be thinking about the consequences of her next words. Surprisingly, I noticed the flow of mana around her as she prepared for a defensive spell. Whatever she might be hoping to discuss with me, it seemed that she thought I might grow rather unsatisfied with the result.

"Two favors," she said.

Her voice was quiet, barely above the sound of the swaying trees. Nevertheless, I heard it rather clearly. I stared at her quizzically. "What?" I asked.

"I would like to grant you two favors in exchange for showing leniency on the village and not sacrificing one of them as you planned. Surely there must be a more efficient manner in which we could grab the attention of this malevolent force," Cellanie claimed, making me realize what this might be about.

I knew not what expression was on my face, but the Celestial Mage-hopeful must not have taken it for a good sign.

"You would think to request this of me now when I am just about to go over there? Had you not the whole day to come to me for this?" I asked, hoping I kept my tone neutral. Though I might be irritated at this request, I hardly found it worth getting angry over.

Stonewall took off her glasses slowly, and I watched the way her hands trembled. "You believed that my ambitions might lead me down a treacherous path, and I have seen what you have granted me to see. I have spent tireless hours, studying the tomes which you have granted me. I've had to stop myself from reading further as such knowledge has almost driven me insane in its ramblings. While I do not believe in any Yalorian Crypts, I find it hard to question such notions based on the evidence you have provided me of events prior. When you spoke such things, my desire for wisdom, knowledge, and study enticed me so much that I thought the village was indeed worth sacrificing would I have the chance for it, and the thought troubled me greatly," she said.

I remained quiet as she walked closer to me. "I thought my urge like that of a foul demon which had clung itself to my soul. I wondered if this was perhaps how this Alchemist felt, shunning all existence until nothing else mattered save the machinations of his ruined mind. I would be remiss if I wished such a fate for myself. It would not sit well with me if we did away with them for such a pursuit. I know that you believe that as well. Why else would you turn the excitement of your crew from laying waste to them?" she asked, making me roll my eyes.

"Think what you might of me, Lass, but dare not think me righteous or well-intentioned. However, I be not a marauder who will lay waste to every man, woman, and child, burning villages down and laying heads on pikes with nary a concern. Those who dare get in my way or test the well-being of my crew shall face my anger. No less than that be needed," I answered.

I watched Cellanie walk close to me, eyeing me critically. "C'ula might disagree with you," she argued, a deep frown on her face.

I snorted. "They got in my way. It be no simpler than that. Now, the matter of my conquered adversaries aside, you've yet to give me a proper reason for this change of course. Best you hear this, your favors be a matter of convenience for me. They no no necessities. And when I compare the weight of your favors to the promises of a Yalorian Crypt, then I'd imagine even your Headmaster might agree with my course," I answered.

Immediately, Cellanie looked toward me. "Because they will aid me which will aid you," she claimed.

I looked at Cellanie skeptically. Somehow, I had a feeling that I knew where this was going. Aesteal had tried the same manner, and while she'd been successful and the end result was one that I agreed with, I doubted I'd find much use from such a sickly lot.

"And how would you figure that?" I asked.

"Once mages become Celestial Mages, they are allowed to set up their own mage towers in any place that they wish. With the effects of the Lich cleared, I can set up my tower there and employ these men and women into my structure. While unrefined, I felt remarkable talent for the mystic arts in many of them, and they would make excellent students. Surely, you would wish to know as much about these crypts as possible, though your crew doesn't seem the type to want to stay in one place for too long. Help me spare the village and all information which the Mage Association has regarding the crypts will be yours, especially if we happen upon another one," she returned.

My lips thinned. While of a different matter from my spies trained by Aesteal and Maeloson, I believed the premise to be the same. That said, I'd tasked my men to other corners of D'orn and wished not to tear them from their assignments to post up here, especially when not many of them knew how to handle such mystical intricacies. It would help to free up the room, plus I reasoned that Cellanie might have a vested interest in looking into the crypts as well.

"And what makes you so sure they'd be willing to go near anything magic-related when they have been freed?" I asked.

Cellanie glanced off to the side momentarily. "Charon's Landing isn't a popular place. Most no one comes out here save to trade on occasion. Even before the Lich, the townspeople had to venture to other neighboring cities where the trade was more plentiful. While I would hope for better, the Kingdom will more than likely not send forces to rebuild this land so readily out of fear that the threat remains. Under the Mage Association, they will find the best possible route to returning to their regular lives, and they will even be paid for the contributions, something I believe they are in desperate need of. The Association will also want to track down the artifacts these people have sold, given to them by these unknown origins. While I'm not sure where your adventures will lead you, I believe not many of them will center around finding the Crypts. You shall have an ear in all discovery, you have my word," she said.

Had I known this lass prior to the Empire of Crystallized Ash, I might have found such a notion suspicious. Aye, some matters required my attention that hardly left me or my ship the time to be sailing this way and that on rumors of the crypts. That we'd even found this one was something of a miracle given that the Alchemist was pointed here. Of the many things I'd been expecting, a Yalorian Crypt wasn't one of them.

After a moment, I looked at the sky and exhaled. "Be it possible?" I asked.

"'Tis a matter we shalt measure whence the time hath come upon us," An'raie replied.

Finally, I turned my gaze back to Cellanie. "I shall honor your request for tonight, Lass. However, we be not so done with this account. We shall settle it later," I said.

I watched her breathe easily soon after. "Thank you, Eric Drakclaw," she said.

"Best you not be so quick to thank me. Ellen claimed me to be mighty unreasonable on many occasions," I remarked. I then turned around and walked away, deciding not to waste any more time than what I already had.

I returned to the camp and Cellanie returned after me a few minutes later. Her people ran out of their tent to greet her, more than a few casting scalding looks at me like I'd done something I shouldn't have. I wasn't sure what they thought might have occurred and I ceased caring not long after.

Instead, I marched over to Maeloson. Ever the astute elf, he must have quickly noticed a change in my mood as I took a seat next to him.

"By your expression, it seems that the mage either said something you didn't like or said something you wished you could hate, but do like," he commented, stoking the flames with a stick.

"Good to see your mighty powers of observation haven't waned from sea travel, Maeloson. I shall be setting off. Should anything come upon the camp then have Aesteal and my mother lead them away," I said as I slipped off the log and sat on the cold ground.

"Understood," he replied as I closed my eyes.

Slowly, my surroundings drifted away. The noises and sounds from the outside turned into a strange hum of otherworldly moans and groans in the distance. When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing right in front of An'raie.

When we looked at each other, I found myself short of words. She was beautiful. She was even more beautiful than when I'd bedded her before. Every piece of her soul seemed so perfectly in tune with mine. I wasn't even ashamed that she became privy to my thoughts since I could measure hers as well.

Though her lips remained even, I spotted the way her arms shivered and her legs trembled. Through our process, we were utterly inseparable. To deny such a circumstance was now to deny either of us our very own being as one.

"Thine thoughts art so debased toward me. Best we makest haste l-lest thee dare act upon them," she said, perhaps thinking that I hadn't taken note of that shiver in her voice.

Seas, her voice. It was as rich, if not richer, cream to my ears that compared, and even surpassed in some aspects, Liara's voice. I decided to let my thoughts be since it'd be a fool's errand to try and dissuade them from thinking of her. My cock rose greedily, eager to put off this escapade for another day so that I might relish in the treasure of such a sudden unity. And the best part in all of this was that I knew An'raie desired it too. Even with her eyemask in place, I could feel her gaze on my erection as if it might be the key to the greatest of pleasures for her, a treasure that even queens might envy.

Nevertheless, I, somehow, found the will to avert my thoughts to the more pressing matters. "Aye, then best we continue. The rivers grow quiet," I said.

An'raie silently agreed. She reached out her palm and I did the same. Once we touched, we were simultaneously thrust away from my body, one soul flying through the air with the lands of Olipios beneath us.

I wasn't sure how to describe the feeling. It was like I was inside An'raie and her inside me at the same time.

"N-Nnnngh!" An'raie groaned in the depths of my thoughts. I felt her pleasure rising from our union and I was no different. Such sensations seemed to be rolling through my soul like I was nothing but a bundle of exposed nerves, each spiking at the slightest motion upon them.

An'raie and I kept our nerve, our shared white soul flying over the land before we arrived back at Charon's Landing, and the village within it.

As expected, the fog was already thick upon the village and handfuls of men and women either lay near the river's edge or at the porches of their open homes.

"Ata itumus saenala eru ti ana de dremiunum est det been ti! Ravae testme rulues be ti ve trun unastist!"

Over and over, the men and women spoke this wretched phrase in unison. Some women even wailed it while the sickly men performed cursed blood rituals upon themselves. Their bodies were scarred with numerous knife wounds while they sang and chanted their praise.

Never had I wished to not be so filled with Liara's knowledge as the meaning of the phrase came to me rather easily.

'May our blood be spilled and may our dreams be yours. Test us by the mighty river, ferrying our souls to eternity's unity!'

I knew not what this phrase was supposed to mean but we were forced to hear it for hours. Even past the dead of night, their insane chanting never ceased. Despite their illness, despite the cold air, despite the pain from kneeling on rocks, in mud, and on cut wood, they continued in their devotion.

Luckily, it seemed that An'raie and I were finally awarded for our patience. However, it wasn't that hard to wait since we found ourselves somewhat enjoying this unified embrace.

"A spirit cometh," she said.

I nodded as we flew down to the bank of the river. While it was unfortunate that I couldn't make use of my abilities of the sea in this state, it was hardly like we had no means of dealing with this matter.

Hovering over the mud and rocks, An'raie and I stared into the open river. The fog rolled in, but not even its density could keep us from what we desired. Through the thick haze, as the wailing of the people grew louder, we saw a robed figure. I could tell it was a skeleton because of the bony hands that grasped the wooden push pole. I could sense An'raie's growing disinterest. Clearly, she must have expected something more.

Nevertheless, we acted. It took little effort for An'raie to weave a spell and lul the entire riverside into unconsciousness. One by one, their bodies fell, and we took extra care to not let their heads strike any stones lest Cellanie find some reason to annoy me further.

"Skaethulun!" An'raie chanted, her necromantic mana seeping into the ground. Immediately, a skeleton was raised for her while I constructed a robe to mask its body. We then afflicted it with all manner of curses that we might think of. While not exactly passing for sickness, I hoped that the scent of death which lay attached to An'raie's magic might be enough to warrant at least a glance from the rower.

Once finished, the skeleton knelt on the ground, keeping its face hidden. It then stretched out its arms. Thankfully, the noise of the rest of the town was high so we had not to worry about masking its voice.

We then flew back and observed as the boat drew closer until it came up to the river's edge. Neither An'raie nor I spoke, yet I could sense her thoughts. She sensed that the magic might be familiar, but she knew not how. Of course, it was familiar because she reasoned the magic was from her old coven, but it seemed familiar for another reason.

Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to think further because our plan worked. The skeleton on the boat pointed toward our robed intruder. An'raie willed the skeleton up and marched it onto the boat, making sure that the robe never showed its bony feet. Her skeleton sat down and the Ferrier maneuvered the boat back into the fog. Other villagers clamored to be ferried off as well, but the rowing skeleton paid them no mind.

Our thoughts staying linked, we flew after the boat. The fog was hardly a deterrent for us. Unfortunately, we thought it strange that our infiltrator might be so silent given the exuberance of the town's people. So, I asked for An'raie to make the skeleton show some fancy cultish behavior that might turn the gaze of even this Ferrier.

Accepting my request, An'raie performed the task. The skeleton bowed furiously, making a grand, yet mute, display of its desire to join the others of the town. I knew not if the other skeleton was convinced by our display, especially since An'raie informed me that the Lich wasn't observing the interaction.

"The thing observed us for nearly the whole time that we were on Olipios. What reason would it have to ignore us now that we've made it this far?" I inquired as we watched the skeleton push the boat through the fog.

"'Tis possible that other matters draweth upon its attention. Shouldest this be a crypt as thee wouldst suggest, then surely there is power that even this Lich hath not uncovered. 'Twould be unknown what it must face whilst it slumbers in there," An'raie said as we continued onward.

Our following soon gave pause when the skeleton dropped the pole into the water. Acting quickly, we flew into the ocean, our shared spirit hardly making even a splash or a sound. We followed the pole through the murky waters beneath the river, watching it pass by numerous corrupted fish and other abominations.

We followed the pole until it passed down into a deep underwater ravine. While we were more than capable of piercing the darkness with our eyes, I assumed that such an endeavor when back in my body might not come so easily.

Finally, we discovered where the poll was headed. At first glance, it looked nothing special. I likened it to a piss hole or a spit hole some Draegnarian prisoners used in their cells. However, I was proven wrong when the pole stabbed into the hole.

As soon as it connected, An'raie and I sensed mana unlike we'd ever felt before, mana easily capable of surpassing even the mana on the Isles of Delverhold. From where the pole rested, lines began to spread across the river floor like the weaving silk of a spider's thread. The ground rumbled with the ferociousness of Zeus' fury. We floated back as the ravine split itself even further. Like the maw of a great beast, it seemed to swallow all that it could.

"I see. This pole and the ground were one being, one energy, which hath separated into two different entities. Once they hath formed into one again, the full might of the crypt shalt come upon these lands. Yet, the crypt casteth its own powerful barrier, preventing even the most skilled of outside sources from laying discovery upon it. The mana shalt resonate with the runes placed upon the cavern thee hath discovered, and then..."

"They shall lead the way into the crypt," I said, finishing her explanation.

As we suspected, the ravine opened and tendrils of pure mana flew through the water. They flew past us and we went after them, following until we found ourselves in the same cavern as before. The mana touched the runes and the runes quickly summoned a portal that became embedded in the cave's wall.

We then heard further rumbling as we flew outside the cave. I found myself rather amazed when I saw the whole mountain break through the river's surface. Like a long-forgotten kingdom rising from the ashes where time left it, the mountain stood proud and unwavering. A thin bridge of stone led to the mouth of the cave.

As if I'd been guiding the rivers themselves, the waters pulled the boat to the side of the stone strip. The ferrier then stepped out of the boat and An'raie ordered her skeleton to follow. We watched as they walked into the cave, neither still speaking a word.

Once inside, the Ferrier Skeleton pointed to the portal. An'raie ordered our skeleton forward and it passed through the portal. Unfortunately, things seemed to have gone wrong from that. We both felt our magic cut off from the skeleton. Without An'raie's hand, it'd only crumple down into a pile of bones on the other side.

As for the skeleton that remained, it walked out of the mountain and held out its hand. The river rumbled and the pole flew back into its bony grasp. As An'raie explained, with the mana from the pole and ground being separated, the mountain rumbled once again. As quickly as it came, it descended back into the river with nary a sign or sensation of the nigh overpowering mana that had been there before.

Once the mountain was gone, the lone skeleton rowed its boat through the fog. We followed after it, my eyes trained on its position so that I might discover where it kept that damned pole. It became quite clear to me just how important that rod was. If it could do something like that, then trying to create something of that power to replace it would be nigh impossible for me, especially with what limited material I had available. That pole had to be something mythical in its own right. I imagined any dwarf in the north would love to grab a hold of it.

The skeleton road the boat far until it reached the river bank's other side. Once it stepped out, it took the pole and sealed it in a pocket space of runes with the Lich's mana. When that was done, it tied the boat to a tree and dissolved into a pile of withering bones that any dog might love.

Or at least it would have had those bones not burned away into ash, leaving only the robe in its place.

"Thee couldst at least try to hide thine elation upon thine discovery. Thine sensations flow into me without restraint," An'raie said.

How was an old, salty, swashbuckling scourge not supposed to crack a grin when he happened upon a chest of unknowns such as this?

Rather than cast a lie, I answered. "Best we head back. That Lich shall not enjoy the lone treasures of the Yalorian Crypt anymore," I announced.

An'raie spoke not a word as we flew back to my body. When we returned, I woke up surprised to find that I wasn't alone. My entire crew was awake, all of them staring at me in nigh-uncontrollable anticipation.

I stood up, letting the silence stir as I made a show of dusting my pants and straightening my coat. I then turned to the rest of my crew.

"The path might not be easy, but it's sure to be laden with silver and gold. And where there be silver and gold to be plundered, we shall plunder it all and leave the scraps for the lot who come after. Make yourself ready tomorrow, laddies. We be crypt diving this day!" I said.

The cheers of my crew rang through the forest's night air while I gazed in the direction of Charon's Landing. Best you hurry back fast, Liara, lest you have no crypt to venture in.