Author's note: Since it's been a bit since the last chapter, I decided I should have some book recaps. As a simple recap isn't really my style, I decided to work them into scenes. There will one for each book today, followed by several chapters as I finish the final editing pass for each.
Let's return to Ro'an, shall we?
***
Throughout history, countless atrocities have been buried or forgotten. Notably, the heroes of history are often the perpetrators of such. Given such precedent, this humble scholar finds himself compelled to reveal which crimes 'The Last Magelord of Ro'an' hides before they're buried in the past. The story as we know it is too… clean. As it is the burden of the Keeper to record all knowledge, it is to this being of legend I have journeyed, at great risk to not only my life, but my very soul.
The following is a recounting of my exchange with the being.
–Artemis Lunark, Scholar of History at New Ro’an Interplanetary Research Institute.
***
"All knowledge has a cost. Your sacrifice is… sufficient."
Those were the first words spoken after the humble scholar Artemis Lunark struck his deal with the Keeper. The sinuous skeletal devil's eyes of violet light flickered as it complied with his request. "The then young omnivore's story began, as all good tales do, with a worthy feast. For Percival, his first feast on Ro'an consisted of devouring the soul of the very being who summoned him. Such a meager morsel. Unsatiated, the new mage lord went on to consume the tomes within his new family's library before beginning the journey towards Mount Aeternia.
"Not that the young omnivore understood such was his destination. At the time, he only knew he and his sister would serve as Magus Domini in the Frigid Peaks of the east.
"Together with his servant, the Knight Exemplar Calburn, he stuffed himself inside a cube and passed through a Gate, to then dip his toes in the City on the Water. After meeting the sibilant assistant and delectable Dragon-soul Althon, the young omnivore and his companions continued upriver into the higher mountains. It was at the headwaters of the river where his sister would settle that his guide, Inertia, waited. After ascending to Astral-soul, the young omnivore, his servant, and the machine of steam and steel parted ways with his sister."
At that point, the scholar scrounged up what courage he could to interject, his voice only shaking slightly as the devil focused those violet eyes upon him. "And what of the Forgeborn's translator, Tresla? Was she there?"
The devil clacked its tongue against its teeth, drawing attention to its perpetual smile, as though to serve as a reminder that the devil's original purpose was to devour.
Even as the scholar swallowed, the devil spoke.
"The translator was there, though of little import at the time. Their trek was mostly uneventful, though they did take some time to feed and forge, creating a crude vehicle with which to traverse the high road.
"Near his new home, the Frost Riven waited, welcoming their new neighbor with open arms and a spot of drake wrangling.
"Their greeting upon reaching the village of Tetherfall was even warmer, as the governing assistant attempted to roast the young omnivore with crude fire."
"Which is when he met his minion, Tanis, correct? The big one with a large harem of wives?"
"It was, though Tanis only ever had two mates, and served as a guard at the time,” the Keeper replied. "After purging the weaklings, in accordance with the village's rites of Rope and Rigging, he set about exploring. His new apprentice, Bevel, gifted him the Ways Between. Once she had done so, it did not take long before we met."
At that, the skeletal being clacked its dark tongue against its teeth, letting out a low rattling chuckle that set the scholar's knees to shaking such that they nearly matched the rattle.
"Unfortunately for the new Magus Dominus, literal hunger soon threatened. While defeating a ravenous wyvern provided a reprieve, it was to the cliffs they turned next, expanding mats of hanging tubers. Just in time for a storm to sweep in. The storm brought not just destruction, but mana and his sister, Nexxa.
"It was during this visit that he was truly set back, as the young omnivore offered up a morsel with poor preparation. With little thought he informed his sister that he was, in truth, no brother of hers."
"Not that he was able to dwell upon it for long. Soon refugees began to arrive, sailing in from the elven nation of Terra Vista."
While the scholar still worried the devil might change its mind and devour him at any moment, they could not contain their curiosity. "Shaper Xoth and his daughter, correct? They were leading the refugees on their enchanted boats? Were they truly only Hydra-souls at the time?"
"Among others, yes. And only the father was Pegasus. While their skills were helpful to the young omnivore, they did mean more mouths to feed. Even as they struggled to ensure enough food for all, a blizzard settled over them. Vaserra of the Frost Riven arrived with it, warning of her father's ire.
"Together, they hunted several of the weak creatures that made the vales below Mount Aeternia their home, growing her strength and preparing to confront her father. During this confrontation, the new Magus Dominus dropped his first mountain, slowing the Frost Riven chieftain's escape.
"After witnessing Vaserra devour the heart of her father, he returned to Tetherfall to find they'd been betrayed by one of those they'd sought to help. The Spellford Shaper attempted to converse with me, however he had nothing I valued."
The devil paused at this time to rake their abyssal eyes over the scholar, as if contemplating whether the price paid had truly been sufficient for the tale it was sharing. There was no doubt in his mind that if the scholar had been found wanting, the devil would have consumed him, body and soul.
"After a brief confrontation with Shaper Kallum, Percival reclaimed the mountain and restored his guide. However, unknown to him, in a hidden chamber beneath the ocean, the old Magus Dominus Balthum stirred while the Everstorm swelled.
"The young omnivore had survived the first course, but the feast was far from over."