Chương 63: The Survivor

[Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution DC 25 (Very Hard)] Jump. And also, maybe try to hold on once you're up there. [Favorable: STR modifier (+3). DEX modifier (+3). CON modifier (+6). [That Dawg in You] (+2). [Close Encounter of the Spiritkind] (+2). The rope is literally right there (+2).] [Adverse: Remember the last time you'jumped' as part of an ability check? Remember how that went? (-2). Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down… (-2).] First roll: 16 Second roll: 1 Third roll: 15 Average: 11 Final: 25 Result: success Oh, hell yeah! 25 on the dot to beat a DC of 25! A shudder of equal parts relief and excitement ran through Jordan, as he rose from the saddle and kicked off. A field-and-track athlete he was not, but on this occasion, he was buoyed by irrational confidence as well as all the gravity-defying magic whipping all about him. After a half-second that felt like an eternity, his flailing hands found purchase against the dangling rope.

He grabbed on tight, even as the newly formed Aeromancer-Gatekeeper complex sagged under the added weight. The Aeromancer quickly corrected course with a few powerful wingbeats. She then lowered her head to glare at Jordan down her beak. A glare of mistrust, of indignation. Or was it one of challenge? It made no difference to Jordan, who only had one thing on his mind. Squeezing every newton and kilojoule out of his 17 points in [Strength], he began to shinny up the rope.

The complex sagged anew with Jordan's every tug on the rope, but he held on and climbed, handhold by handhold. He didn't have a clear idea what he would do once he reached the Aeromancer's feet. He only knew that this was his one window of opportunity to reach her—to make contact and knock on that door, as loudly as he could. And yet, the spiritkind must have sensed a certain sort of recklessness from the human. For halfway through the climb, she began to beat her wings with increased urgency.

The rope swayed and swung dangerously, threatening to throw off the would-be climber to certain death. And still, Jordan held on… because what else was he to do? What's going on? Is she done playing? Has she decided after all that I'm up to no good? Judging by the hurt, the fear, and the menace gleaming upon her aquiline eyes, the answer was an unfortunate 'yes'. Even as Jordan looked up at her imploringly, the Aeromancer opened her beak wide. This time to shriek in anger rather than joy.

This time to cast a spell meant for strife rather than play. Not good! I've got to do something, but what? When in doubt, look within. To the memories of a vibrant land and its manifold people. To the connections a traveler had forged along the road. And on this occasion, the feel of the rope chafing against his hands reminded Jordan of one such connection, one such memory—of a proud and defiant endorsement from an old childhood friend. I'd like to see you try, young feller.

Our Akula ain't some Lamb for you to wrangle, I'll tell you that much. [Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma DC 27 (Nearly Impossible)] So the Lamb is resistant to wrangling. But you could try luring her home anyway, perhaps by reminding her of happier times. [Favorable: INT modifier (+6). WIS modifier (+7). CHA modifier (+3). [That Dawg in You] (+2). [Close Encounter of the Spiritkind] (+2). Sentimental value to certain individuals who once called Featherift City home (+4).] [Adverse: [Self-conscious Conformist] (-2).] First Roll: 12 Second Roll: 4 Third Roll: 13 Average: 10 Final: 32 Result: success It had to happen in the split second before the Aeromancer could [Howl] up another [Tempest]. Jordan grabbed an object from his waist and threw it into the air, as high as was humanly possible while he still held onto the rope with the other hand. It was, of course, [the Survivor's Doll] —an Item he'd smuggled in from the other side of the [Void].

As it turned out, not even his war general getup was dapper enough to overcome [Self-conscious Conformist]. No matter. The [-2] penalty was nothing compared to all the Feats and modifiers, built up over months of actions begetting outcomes. The upshot was that the [Doll] flew very high, indeed, to be caught and sucked up by the winds that whipped all about. But not before the Aeromancer had a chance to see what it was. The shriek did come then. One of surprise, of alarm, of yearning.

The Aeromancer surged toward the sky in several wingbeats, which proved one jostle too many for a certain rope-climber to keep holding on. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Jordan lost sight of the Aeromancer as he went into a freefall. Nothing to hold onto. No miraculous rescue by his partymates. He could only hope that a new connection had been forged. That the gate was well and truly open, such that— The Aeromancer cast: Feather Fall. Jordan slowed his descent.

He continued to fall, but at a languid, floaty pace. Much like how a single [Feather] might [Fall] through calm air, as it were. He wasn't the only one. The winds had abated enough that Jordan could look around even as he floated in mid-air. There, scattered around him, he counted two humans and three horses, all looking reasonably relaxed as they [Feather Fell] back down to earth.

Even as Jordan marveled at this amazingly clutch use of one of Vesselia's most mundane spells, he hadn't failed to take notice of an important change. That'Frenzied' tag is gone from the Aeromancer's combat log. And thanks to how slowly he was falling, he had plenty of time to think about the implications of said change, before he landed on the ground to zero fall damage. The Chronicler was the first to rush over to Jordan and pull him to his feet.

He took her assistance gratefully, then tried what he hoped was a winning smile. This was met by a thoughtful frown, which the Chronicler then directed to the sky overhead. A little ways off to the side, the Pathfinder was already doing the same, craning his neck and shielding his eyes against the glare of the highland sun. Jordan imitated his partymates, and immediately saw what had them so interested. The tornado was gone, leaving only the Aeromancer responsible to circle the sky directly above the party.

She paid the humans no attention, at least for now. Instead, she was solely focused on the ugly [Doll] in her arms, hugging it close and cooing at it like a mother bird. Item lost. [The Survivor's Doll] Affliction cured. [Self-conscious Conformist] The humans waited patiently by unspoken agreement, letting the spiritkind have her moment. It was only the right thing to do. And they were rewarded for their patience in short order, as the Aeromancer lowered herself to the ground.

One moment, her wings had spread wide, blotting out the sun and seeming to swallow the whole world in their verdant green. The next, they folded behind her and shrank her outline, no more prominent than an elaborate backpiece. The Aeromancer was just as beautiful on the ground as she was in the sky, perhaps, but considerably less terrifying. Even the anger's gone from her face, Jordan didn't fail to note.

The Aeromancer's aquiline eyes yet shone brightly as she gazed between the three humans, but with curiosity rather than fear. The hand that clutched the [Doll] tightly to her chest did so with tenderness rather than desperation. Seeing this, Jordan was reminded of a quote. Pulled from the very first Stormvaster text he'd ever read. Still the storm within thee, that thou mayest know true peace. As if on cue, another object floated down from the sky.

It was, of course, none other than the Turbulent Cauldron, the Aeromancer's bound Vessel. It landed with very little fanfare, a soft thud at Jordan's feet. He looked into its pinkly glowing basin. Or rather, he heard it. A kind of chittering susurrus. Like a bunch of small animals whispering among themselves. Whispering in invitation. Jordan leaned forward and reached in. Until the whispers grew louder. Until his whole vision—nay, his whole being—filled with the rosy iridescence.

Canyon was the first to rush over to Jordan and pull him to his feet. He took her assistance gratefully, then looked to her with a bemused frown, asking: what happened? By way of answer, she pointed her serene rectangle up toward the sky. There she was. Garuda Akula, circling high overhead. The Turbulent Cauldron orbited her person as usual, leaving a pink contrail of mana in its wake. In her arm was [the Survivor's Doll], having already changed hands on the other side of the [Void].

Then, as if she felt Jordan's gaze on her, she let out one cheerful shriek, before turning around and flying away." Wait!" The pitiful exclamation had issued not from Jordan but Foxhill. The Pathfinder, having lost the braids and now dressed in his usual humble getup, ran after Akula. He came to a stop only at the edge of the cliff, heart's desire thwarted by simple geography. The Garuda took no time to become a green blot in the sky, and then nothing.

Foxhill continued to stare after her, even as his shoulders sagged in visible disappointment. Jordan joined his Pathfinder at the cliff edge, if only to offer a shoulder pat in commiseration." Don't lose heart, brother," he said and meant it.

"Something tells me this won't be the last time you see her. Not after the connection she made with us today."" Jordan is right." Canyon sidled up from the other side. Despite her earlier banter, she was dead serious as she went on, "This world is an ever-enriching tapestry of memories and intents. As long as you hold onto the thread, you'll yet follow it to the other end."" That sounds poetic and all, Miss," Foxhill spoke in a weak murmur, "but what if that thread has lifted into the sky where I can't reach?""

You're a Pathfinder, aren't you?" Jordan gently elbowed the man in the ribs.

"Then you better get cracking on finding that skyward path." An impossible quest. Perhaps not unlike the one Jordan was on himself. Which was why he felt oddly (perhaps irresponsibly) optimistic on his friend's behalf. And why shouldn't he be optimistic? After all, he'd just taken another big step on his own impossible quest. Gate of Ascension opened: The Tempest Gate. Eight gates remain until the Heavenly Cauldron reaches its maximum Vessel Capacity.

VC: 50, 000 cc -> 100, 000 cc Current VR: 50, 000/100, 000 cc (50% partial, 0. 005% total) Target VR: 1, 000, 000, 000/1, 000, 000, 000 cc (100%) [Hoarding Mode] remains in effect. Feat enhanced. [Shennong's Blessing (Lv. 3) -> (Lv. 4)]: In recognition of your emotional maturity, you've gained a permanent [4]-point upgrade to Wisdom. WIS: 25 -> 26 (modifier: +7 -> +8) VR efficiency: 1. 25 -> 1. 26 New Vessel Boon unlocked.

[Feather in the Wind]: Set down the burdens of your heart, that you may soar ever higher on your wings. Permanently reduce your Vessel's weight by half. Weight: 496 lbs -> 248 lbs