Runeshield mage 2, p.1
Runeshield Mage 2, page 1
Runeshield Mage 2
NJ Buller
Copyright © 2023 by NJ Buller
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
To Nick Will, the city of Rochester, and a certain person.
Contents
1. Sneak
2. Forced Treatment
3. Herta
4. A Retelling
5. Leaving the Familiar
6. The Reasons
7. Age
8. Promises Kept
9. A Flying Dwarf
10. [Petrification Rune]
11. Chaos
12. [Transform]
13. Infinite Possibilities
14. Stress
15. For Now
16. Oslaker
17. Drew
18. Power in the Wrong Hands
19. Flee
20. Rejected Fates
21. Morsepult
22. Howls
23. Long-Term
24. The New Village
25. An Inn
26. Old [Space Mage]
27. Side-Quests
28. [Haggle]
29. Plants
30. Goop
31. Dolor
32. Quasi
33. Petals
34. Fool's Gladiolus
35. Wounded
36. A Talk with Death
37. Necromancy
38. The Removal of Ignorance
39. Something
40. [Time]
41. The Discarded
42. In the Village
43. Believe
44. What Power Can Give
45. Corrupted?
46. [Force Rune]
47. Zirconium
48. Avril
49. An Elf
50. Rina
51. A Meeting
52. The Request
53. Fulfillment
54. Serious Upgrades
55. The Potential for Greatness
56. Please
57. And the Mighty Fell
58. For They Were Weak
59. Youth in Death
60. A Human Face
61. True Intent
62. A Dydra
63. Humanity Lost
64. Nobody Won the Battle
65. A Silent Sun
66. Rolling in Coin
67. The Herald
68. Adrick
69. Moro's Plan
70. Aiming for Success
71. Patience
72. Trapped
73. Broken Illusions
74. The Egg
75. Subjected to Sentience
76. Treant
77. Is It Worth It?
78. [Runeshield]
79. Like Grandfather, Like Son
80. Dispatch
81. Potential for More
82. The People
83. Duplication
84. Infinity and Beyond
85. Cheating
86. Talk
87. Lies in Truth
88. It Was Fate
89. The Aftermath
90. [Petrification]
91. Act
92. It All Makes Sense in the End
93. The Plan
94. The Hound
95. Savior of Nothing
96. After Death
97. A Threat
Chapter 1
Sneak
Theo had to put his back into it as he pushed against the metallic door. The hinges were rusted, the thing itself weighed way too much for an emergency exit, and the built-up dirt on the other side was making his life a living hell. But he persevered, the concept of seeing the light of day is too strong for somebody so feeble as "physical limits" to stop him.
Adrenaline and pain might’ve helped too, but who truly cared? His feet pressed hard against the rough stone ground as his legs pumped forward for all they were worth. When the roots of the plants began to break and crack, momentum began to build up, and the rays of the sun started to pierce through the small gaps and hit Theo right in the eyes. It hurt and yet the sting was the greatest feeling he’d had in a long time. It was the feeling of freedom, the smell of life reaching his nose and making him realize one fact above everything else.
"I am so taking a bath when we get back to the village," Theo said as the metal door hit its peak. While he couldn’t swing it over entirely, the frame still needing to be held to stay up, the duo and [Familiar] could leave the [Facility] without issue. Letting it fall as soon as he was out, the [Rune-Crafter] was able to look back and notice just how little he could see of the door. "There’s no love for that disappearing trick."
"Let’s just move. I think I know where we are," Stig said as the [Mage] tried to scratch some symbols into the nearby moss, making it somewhat clear where the hidden door was meant to be. While there was the distinct sound of something moving around underneath them, there was likewise a chance they would be able to go down to the ninth floor again without having to battle through so many layers. If so much of the place could be skipped, who wouldn’t take the chance? "Actually… Yeah, I know exactly where we are. Follow me."
Staring up at the blue sky, the [Rune-Crafter] felt peace. Threading through the thick undergrowth pushed his already tired legs to their limit, but the forest dwarf ahead of him had a destination and path in mind. Nero sang sweet words about what fruits they would be able to find if they went offtrack for a few minutes, but the man didn’t listen to the [Familiar]. While the little rabbit did need some form soon, they could wait until they knew they were safe.
If only that allowed them ample access to an easier trek. Theo’s right foot got caught in a rather thick part of a bush, and he would’ve fallen if not for Stig assisting him at the last moment. The dwarf was just as tired as him, but being aware of each other was still a priority.
"Be careful so I don’t have to drag you, please," Stig said, the assistance for Theo seeming to have drained him more than the walking itself. The damage to the neck still wasn’t healed as much as one would desire and the overuse of [Mana] before should’ve been enough reason to relax for a day. And yet they were still out and trying to return to the village. "I think I hear something."
Oh, here we go again.
"Beasts?"
Theo braced himself as his shaky arm raised the shield. Checking through the connection, it was clear that some of the [Runes] still worked. Barely, sure, but it would be enough to roast a few fur-covered beasts.
"No," Stig replied after another second, confusing the [Mage] as the dwarf’s face began to light up. "Voices."
Voices? Theo wanted to question it, yet the confirmation that Nero was hearing some odd muttering in the distance made it all more reasonable that the pace of a certain dwarf increased. The balance-drained human was barely able to keep up as they moved through the thick forest. Trees, plants, and tall grass were moved through faster than ever before and the [Rune-Crafter] slowly started to hear some of those voices himself.
Another few seconds allowed him to identify the sources as well.
"Keep it up, you fools!" the rough voice of a certain bald dwarf shouted, Theo able to match the voice to a face as he half-stumbled into the proper gravel path with Stig not so far in front of him. "We all know you can move those stones faster!"
Looking down the road, there were easily ten dwarves walking out of and into the the dungeon through the main entrance, those coming out carrying woven baskets filled with rubble. A small hill had already been created not too far from the entrance and the group seemed happy to increase its size. There had to be several tons already on top.
They’ve been working on rescuing us all this time?
Sweet words filled Theo’s mind, and the [Rune-Crafter] was more than happy to start calling out to the bald dwarf overseeing the operation. The only thing that stopped him was the jab in his side from Stig, the forest dwarf putting a finger to his lips. Even though he was tired and his body was battered to no end, his mind was still filled with wit. Even when both of them needed medical attention, it seemed that pulling a small prank on an elder was more important.
If the [Mage]’s back had hurt a little more, he might’ve objected to the delay. Instead, he watched on from a distance as Stig slowly but steadily moved down the road and towards the shouting bald dwarf, the movements soundless amongst the loud clutter and thrown rubble.
Nero had some ideas about what they could use that for.
"No, we aren’t going to ambush anybody," Theo muttered under his breath, watching Stig get ever closer. Giving the [Familiar] on his shoulder a glance, he saw that those red eyes almost looked ready to burst into tears. "Just forget the idea of eating them, please. There are other things you can try."
The rabbit begged to differ. The [Rune-Crafter] didn’t understand what he was meant to do with her messages. None of the offered ideas from the [Familiar] were accepted, the later ones being too close to even find the difference between them. Just how did a little critter have such an in-depth ability to visualize the innards of humanoids?
"How’s it going with the operation?" Stig asked from behind the bald dwarf in a moment of relative silence, only the grunting of the movers in the front making up the background noise. Theo didn’t understand why the young archer thought that such a fake-sounding deep voice would ever work, but Ulf didn’t seem to question the query from behind. "How much more work is needed?"
"We have had three full rotations of diggers, two full rotations of movers, and one group has brought us food today. Those inside say that we’re nearly halfway but the bigger boulders are going to force progress to a crawl, since our tools break before they do," Ulf replied concisely, not even looking at the young dwarf mutely observing the movers. Nobody looked away from their work. "What news is there from the village? Has Arila found the old root spores yet? We need them if the men are meant to work into the night again."
Even after asking the questions, the old forest dwarf didn’t even care to turn his head around to look at Stig’s stretched grin, Theo rolling his eyes as he slowly walked along. He made sure to keep his footing as silent as possible, trying to emulate the weird way Stig had moved. While it wasn’t the most normal foot placement, it certainly softened the blows to the gravel. He almost couldn't hear his steps.
New [Skill] learned!
[Sneak] has been added to your [Skill-Collection]
Now what I expected to see, but I’m not going to be angry at it.
Chapter 2
Forced Treatment
"It’s coming along, of course," Stig replied back in that gruff voice, his throat sounding hoarse to be sick. "Though, I have to ask, just who are you expecting to find on the other side of all that rubble? We’re already out of there, you know?"
The last sentence, said with the forest dwarf’s regular voice, was enough to make Ulf turn his head faster than most men could blink, the old warrior putting his hands on Stig’s shoulders as he shouted out every curse in the dictionary. The injured archer was shaken, screamed at, and then given a hug strong enough to crush the soul itself. Theo kept a safe distance as the sputtered words from the bald dwarf attracted the attention of everybody else, the raised Stig making a revelation spread through the fifty-strong group of workers around.
They’d found another way out and Ulf was giving Stig a piece of his mind because of it. Honestly, that bald forest dwarf had a higher lung capacity than most drill sergeants that Theo had met in the old world. It was strangely enamouring, in a way.
A sigh almost broke past his lips when the [Familiar] sent another helpful idea his way.
"Save it for a wolf," Theo muttered to the rabbit before moving forward, joining the half-calm Ulf as Stig was put back onto the ground. When the young forest dwarf’s leg seemed to give way. Theo immediately reached over to help him stand. "Take it easy with him, please. There are enough injuries on him already."
"Did you throw yourself against a wall a few times? I can’t say I endorse that behaviour, Stig," Ulf called out as he saw the bruised shoulder of the archer. The tinge of purple made it clear that damage had been done. "And just what happened to your neck? I can see a slice of red."
"It’s more than just a slice, Ulf," Stig said, pulling the shirt away to show the crowd the quite massive area where the liquid flame had burned the skin. It covered most of the upper shoulder and lower neck on the left side, that red scarring being permanent. It had been treated, but another dose wouldn’t hurt. That slight wince as Stig’s fingers momentarily grazed the skin made that clear. "We had too many close encounters with the bigger beasts down in the dungeon."
"Tell me everything when we get you two looked at," Ulf stated, noting quicker than anyone the slight hobbling in the [Mage]’s steps as he watched from the side. "I guess you have been thrown around a few times as well, Theo? Your armour has seen better days."
The skin on the lower parts of his legs had as well, the leather from the armour having bonded with the melted skin due to the sheer heat. The [Rune-Crafter] knew that would be a pain to get fixed, though he likewise knew it was a requirement. It was either that or letting it get infected, and he had no need for that in a world with limited antibiotics. Or maybe they had something for that in the form of [Alchemy]. Theo wasn’t sure.
Both he and Stig were thrown onto a familiar small wagon and hauled back towards the village. Most of the crowd stayed with them throughout, though a few ran ahead to warn the others of their arrival.
"You two have been the only conversation topic for the past three days, you know," Ulf commented as he walked along, keeping the others from swarming the duo. While they were out of the dangerous parts of the woods, their bodies still needed space and rest. "Nothing but just what was happening inside that dungeon."
"Oh yeah?" Stig questioned, looking up at the bald dwarf with a wry smile. "Did anybody say anything nice about me? Maybe how worried they were?"
"They were worried you’d grow used to not having night shift at the guard station and wanting to stay in there," Ulf replied, the few others close to the wagon giving out a few comments that just strengthened the point. "You and Theo were thought to have conquered the place already. Some of the men were thinking you two would come out of that broken hallway riding one of the rabbits from the lower floors."
Riding one of the rabbits? Theo knew that the massive one they’d fought on the ninth floor likely had a few brothers and sisters, but the idea of using them like horses had never reached his mind. Nero likewise hadn’t considered it, the little [Familiar] commenting on the chances of it moving anything more than his hand. She’d get there eventually. She just needed to grow a few times.
Maybe she can even fly us around. Those wings might just grow into the tools of a mighty beast.
Nero bit his finger at being called as much, but it didn’t hurt too much. The [Rune-Crafter] was just able to laugh it off somewhat as the wagon continued steadily onwards, the holes and bumps of the road throwing the duo around. The already-injured back made sure he felt every adjustment.
Time passed slower than ever.
"Oh, you idiots couldn’t have brought them in a way that didn’t shake around their insides a little more?" the voice of an old, scornful woman shouted, waking Theo up from his half-slumber. Looking around made his neck hurt, the [Mage] having seemingly slept for a few minutes too many. The gate of the village opened up to allow the dwarven group entrance, the faces of worried residents staring them down from all angles. It was a full-time job to keep the masses away, and only the shouting old lady in the front was allowed to come closer as her wooden cane clattered against the gravel. "Carry them over to the herbal tent or I’ll be having all of you picking blackberries without a glove in sight."
Ulf was the first to react to the old woman’s orders, picking Stig up from his lying position within the second. A few more took out a stretcher that had been brought from the village, and the archer was nearly out of sight as Theo felt several hands grip at his shoulders.
"Oh, no, you don’t need to carry me," the [Rune-Crafter] assured the many dwarves more than ready to push him into the air. Trying to get his feet on the ground, he did his best to resist the hands without hurting anybody. "I can walk just fine, see? I’ll get over there myself, don’t you—"
"Did it sound like I was making a request before, human?" the old dwarf croaked, those eyes feeling more powerful than any beast or monster Theo had faced in the last many months. "Stop your babbling this instant or you’ll beg to be put on blackberry duties."
A moment of thought, raw calculation, and swallowing of unadulterated fear was had before Theo relaxed his shoulders, making no efforts to stop the dwarves as they swept him up from the ground. His feet hung out from his stretcher, but he didn’t offer a single complaint. In a way, Theo tried to enjoy the quiet steady minute travelling on the stretcher, the sounds of the world drowned out by the beauty of the blue sky. There wasn’t a cloud in sight, only the view of the bright sun shining down from above. His eyes hurt at the sight, the level of brightness not felt in days.
Chapter 3
Herta
It was glorious. Theo nearly felt betrayed by the sound of hooks being unclasped as the man was brought into a white tent filled with smells of all varieties and into a soft bed. The other dwarves left the area as the [Rune-Crafter] just stared up at those white sheets that shielded him from the sun’s shining rays, herbal smells filling up his nostrils to the maximum.
Lavender, citrus, mint, jasmine, and just about every other smell that Theo associated with plants could be detected. Turning his head, no matter how painful that movement was, he was able to spot a hanging board of dried flowers, each group offering a new colour, size, or shape. There was just about every kind he’d seen before and so much more, hundreds of plants spotted as he looked around the room. And that didn’t even start to account for the near-thousand small vials spread around the ten or so tables strewn across the tent, the twenty beds inside just barely able to be fitted in between all the herbs and storage.
