Chương 158: Book 3 Chapter 36 - Resurrection

Kane could feel the time for his resurrection approaching in his soul, and knew when it was about to happen. He watched the runes on the coin begin to shimmer, then glow red and yellow. Runes erupted all over the bubble around him, and he felt them connect to his spirit. The runes that had been welted onto the chest of his body months ago appeared in the air, just above where the spirit coin hovered. He was pretty sure they were in the exact same location they had been when his body had been there, six months ago.

He watched as the matter in his bubble prison re-arranged itself before his very eyes, and a body – his body – simply appeared, lying on the ground. His chest appeared right where the runes marking him hovered, but the rest of his body appeared in a different position than his dead body had fallen to the ground. His new body lay there in a relaxed, supine position, with his legs out straight and his arms folded gently across his chest. The body formed all at once, rather than in sections or layers.

Kane only got to look at it for a few seconds before the runes in the air grabbed his spirit body and began moving it toward his physical body, orienting it the same way as his physical body. He couldn't resist the effect, even if he wanted to. His spirit body floated just above his physical body, held in place by the resurrection magic. It lowered his spirit until it was in the same physical place as his body, then he felt a pulling sensation.

His spirit body didn't move, but it slipped gently in between the two realities, forming a complete connection with his body. He knew that some portion of his spirit body had to stay in the spirit realm, otherwise he wouldn't have access to magic, but he lost track of the details of what was happening after that point. Once the two bodies merged, he only felt his physical body once more. The spiritual senses he had grown so accustomed to using over the past six months disappeared, and he felt a slight loss.

His magic sense was still there, but not as complete and whole as it had been. If that same tier 6 appeared now, invisible, Kane knew that he wouldn't be able to sense him as he had once done. He was surprised when a final, parting message appeared from the World Engine. Your resurrection is now complete. Your body has been reformed as it was before your death, minus the injuries and wounds.

You are a tier 4 mage once again, but your time spent in the spirit realm has helped your spirit mature, increasing your potential in this new life. Note that with your legitimate death, you are now authorized to know about the World Engine and some of the underlying laws that govern this life. Others, who have not experienced death, are not so authorized. You will be unable to reveal or discuss these matters with them. Kane could feel it deep in his soul. Where he had felt stuck at tier 4 before, he no longer did.

He had already been near the peak of tier 4 before his death, and knew that with a little bit of work, he could now reach that peak, then advance to tier 5. He wasn't sure how much more growth he might achieve beyond that point, but even just the ability to reach tier 5 was thrilling. Once again, gratitude swelled in his breast for Kiara having given him a second chance at life, especially now that his future was brighter than ever. He opened his eyes to the bright sunlight.

He felt the gentle stirring of the air around him, felt the dirt clinging to the hair on the back of his head. The runes that had hovered in the air for the past six months were fading, along with the ones on the bubble around him. The bubble itself had never been visible, but the runes that had appeared on the walls of the bubble outlined its shape and location. He instinctively knew that no one other than him would be able to see them, though.

The fact that the tier 6 who'd returned to this area twice hadn't seen them proved as much. He stood up in one fluid motion, glancing around. That same arena worker that stopped by once each month was there. His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide with disbelief. Kane wondered how long he had been standing there, how much he had seen. The man muttered something under his breath about no one ever believing him anyway, then turned and walked off, pretending as if he hadn't seen anything. Kane shrugged.

He had places to be, things to do, he didn't care if that man had seen the entire thing. Kane's first item of business, after finding some clothes, would be to go see Elsa Undril. He needed to report back on the mission in Easton, even if she had already received reports from other sources by now. He needed to know what he had missed during his absence, and where the clan needed him next. He needed to make sure the clan attempted to build good relations with House Yountal.

That thought took him back to the idea of his soul oath, and he felt for it. It wasn't there. It had died when he did. He drew the conclusion that soul oaths were partly attached to the body, and only remained in effect when the person was still alive. He found a robe in one of the arena's storage areas, then walked through Easton, enjoying the fresh breeze on his skin, the feel of the world around him. People stared, but he enjoyed it.

No one had been able to see him since his death, so their current gazes reaffirmed that he was, in fact, alive again. Many of these people had likely seen the duel six months ago, and had seen him die. He heard whispers of 'ghost' and 'apparition'. He smiled to himself. If only they knew that up until moments ago, he had been a ghost. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He made his way out of the city, then began jogging toward Portish.

It felt good to move again, with a body and without limits. He could feel the impact of his feet on the ground, could feel his muscles contracting with each step. He ran faster, until his lungs burned, and he loved every second of it. The burning in his lungs was a constant reminder that he was alive again. The run took him a couple of hours, but he felt wonderful when he arrived in Portish. He hadn't been able to stop smiling since he got his body back.

He entered the clan's branch headquarters in Portish, noting that his lapel pin was missing. Even so, the enchantments on the building recognized him and let him in without any issues. His clan members stared at him in unmasked shock as he walked in, unsure what to do or how to react. No doubt they had all heard that he'd died. Now they must be wondering why Elsa would have deceived them like that, what mission was so important that the clan would fake his death?

He made his way up to Elsa's office, pausing when he arrived. A gaping hole lay in the center of the floor. He looked down through it, all the way to the basement, where a crater cracked the floor. What happened here? Confused, he went back to the ground level, approaching the guards at the front door.

"Where is Elsa?" he asked the one on the left.

"K-Kane?" the man sputtered out, still trying to understand what he was seeing. Kane still felt amazing, and found that sitting in the spirit realm for six months had done wonders for his patience. He smiled at the man.

"Indeed. Is Elsa around?" The two men looked at each other, then back at Kane.

"You haven't heard?" the other guard asked him. Kane shook his head.

"I've been… away for six months. Heard what?" The man hesitated.

"Elsa was killed." Kane stared at the man. That was very unlikely. Next to impossible, even. Kane had always instinctively assumed so, at least. He had grown up in the clan – had joined at a very young age. Even back then, Elsa had been strong. He had grown up with her existence as a fact of life. Everyone in the clan knew the stories of Elsa's past, knew her reputation. She was stronger than Patriarch Onnurt. She was one of the two pillars of the clan, her and the patriarch.

The clan was what it was today in large part because of her power and influence. If she was dead, what would become of the clan? Having worked with her directly for years now, Kane personally knew how strong she was. It wasn't idle strength, either, she was a warrior through and through. Her strength was built and gained through decades of being the strongest, of killing those who got in her way. What would it take for someone to kill her? This far from the Capital, was there even anyone strong enough?

He considered Count Dremond as a possibility. Most counts were tier 4, but Portish was a major crossroads, far from the Capital. It needed a strong leader, and Count Dremond fit the bill. A strong tier 5, with a veritable army of city guards at his back. He almost immediately dismissed the notion though. The clan headquarters was still standing, minus the giant hole in Elsa's office that led to the basement. If the city guard had attacked, the building would be in ruins.

One on one, the count likely wasn't a serious threat to Elsa. Even with the powerful protective artifacts that someone in his position could afford, he simply wasn't strong enough to go against Elsa by himself. He paused when he remembered the tier 6 who had attended his duel with Shian. Could that man have been involved? Now that he considered that option, he began accepting the idea of Elsa being dead as a very real possibility.

"What happened?" he asked. The two guards both shuddered at the memory.

"A man came here, demanding to speak with Elsa. A fight broke out. She had Bennett there for backup, but he killed both her and Bennett. Took one of our prisoners and left." Kane narrowed his eyes.

"Which prisoner?"

"Shian Yountal." Kane froze. The very thing he'd been hoping to avoid had apparently happened while he'd been dead. He wondered what the current relationship was between House Yountal and the clan. He did the mental math. Elsa had thought Kane was dead, and had taken action against House Yountal. Things had escalated, and the tier 6 came to settle the score. Kane had impressed multiple times to Elsa how important it was they find out if House Yountal had powerful backing before taking drastic action.

Had she not listened? Had his death truly upset her that much? He was honestly touched that she had cared so much, but a bit disappointed at her recklessness. Her actions would affect the clan in yet unseen ways, he was sure of it. Even ignoring the fact that a tier 6 had now marked the clan as an enemy, just her mere absence would be felt throughout the entire clan, kingdom wide.

Families and groups that used to cower in fear of the clan might now stand a little straighter, be more bold in their resistance or retaliation.

"How long ago?" he asked.

"Just under two weeks ago," the guard on the left replied. That recently?

"Who's in charge of the branch now?" The two guards shared a look.

"A new councilmember hasn't yet been decided. With Bennett dead and you… well, we thought you were dead too, so we informed the active strike teams of Elsa's death. Their missions are on hold for the time being, and Nate went to the Capital to inform the Patriarch. Oh no. Nate was the strongest tier 4 in the branch, apart from Kane. If the council thought Kane was dead, they might appoint Nate, or a tier 4 from another branch, to replace Councilwoman Undril.

"How long ago did he leave?" he asked, the first signs of strain showing in his voice.

"Nine days ago," came the reply. Kane needed to leave right now. He needed to be in the Capital before a new councilmember was decided. The council needed to know that he was alive, that he was a viable choice! Nate was a reckless animal, incapable of using his brains. He was strong, but not fit to lead. The clan would suffer if Nate was appointed to the council.

"I'm going to the Capital as well," he announced, to no one in particular. It didn't really matter if they knew this or not.

"I'll be back in a few weeks." He ran out the door at a full sprint. If Nate left nine days ago, he had probably reached the Capital a few days ago. Word would be sent to the other council members, and it would take them some time to assemble. Kane might just make it in time.