Hyperion Evergrowing-Chapter 195: Warnings

The cart rattled under Hylon, the wooden vehicle seemingly purpose built to rock, sway and jump whenever its wheels met even the smallest pebble or pothole. He grumbled, but kept his eyes focused ahead, his fingers firmly wrapped around the reins of the too skinny ox that was pulling his cart along.

He saw the small stick a moment before the front wheels rolled over it, and hopped in place to avoid the worst of the impact. A curse came from over his left shoulder, followed by a hand slapping his back.

“Hy, you suck at driving.”

“It’s not me, it's this shit cart.”

“Bullshit, swap with me.”

He shrugged and did so, handing over the reins to the beast to a girl his age as she vaulted over the divider that separated the front of the cart with the larger section in the rear. She shoulder checked him to make space on the bench, almost causing him to tumble out of his seat.

“It isn’t that hard. Watch, you just need to ease-” She said, cutting off as the cart hit another bump in the poorly maintained road, her teeth clicking together. “Ugh, nevermind take it back.”

“Wow.” Hylon laughed, accepting the leather strap. “The perfect Cerri fails for the first time in her life. Woe is her.”

“Shut it, Hy. Any more from you and I won’t heal your ass once we stop.”

“I don’t want your boney fingers anywhere near my ass.”

“Oh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t want to have your aches mended by a healer?”

“Healer? Sis, you’re a bone mage. Healing is a byproduct of your magic, and you’re not even good-”

She extended a hand and Hylon felt his arm twist unnaturally, he yelped, fighting back against her skill by inexpertly imposing his aura against her own, resisting the effect. If it wasn’t for his recent increase in physical strength from newly gained levels, she may have seriously injured him.

“What was that for?” Hylon hissed. “You trying to break my arm?”

“I could just fix it, don’t be a baby.”

“I’ll show you what being a baby is-”

“Both of you, shut it!” Silas roared, his cane striking Cerri in the back of the head. She yelped, ducking, her hands immediately moving to shield her skull from any further attacks. But the hard-wood object hadn’t been swung, it had been thrown, evidenced by the fact it clattered down into the gap between the cart’s seat and their lower backs. He grabbed it and gingerly tossed it onto the pile of bound packs.

“I’m old. Let me rest without having to listen to your childish prattle.”

“How can you rest at all with how bumpy the ride is?” Hylon said, glancing over his shoulder at the elder, the man lounging almost casually on a bench, a blanket rolled up behind his head. The back of the cart was filled with their supplies, so the old man was taking up far more space than was economical.

Silas opened one eye. “Benefits of a higher level.”

“Benefits of being too old to feel anything.” He mumbled.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!” Hylon said, quickly returning his attention to the road.

“How far until we reach the next town?” Cerri asked, poking him in the ribs.

“I dunno. An hour or two.” He replied, scooting over so he wouldn’t be in poking range.

“Lame. Who thought building these settlements so far apart was a good idea?”

He shrugged, listening with half an ear as she ranted about how cities were more efficient and how if everyone moved into one life would be better. They passed by fields that were in the earliest stages of being seeded, and it took more than a little willpower not to bring up the fact that most people would starve if her ill conceived plan ever came to pass.

Hylon and Cerri called each other siblings, but they couldn’t look any more different if they tried. He had short blond hair, and a physique that was just transitioning from wiry and thin, to more broad as his teenage years filled him out. His eyes were an ordinary brown, his face a little too angular.

Cerri on the other hand had a fiery crop of orange curls and piercing blue eyes. She was short and thin with limbs she hadn’t quite grown into yet, and her face was rounded and soft. They looked different because, despite the familial nature of their relationship, they were not related. None of Silas’ charges were, just one big family of orphans all out for one another.

Hylon winced as another pothole rocked the cart, one of the front wheels whining and creaking. He glanced back to see if any of the trailing vehicles were suffering as badly as his was. Another three carts trailed along, most with one or two more passengers than the one he was driving.

Three younger kids were racing up and down the length of the convoy, and Hylon shook his head as their antics spooked one of the oxes. He may not be directly related to any of these people, even his grandfather, but being with them was home. They fought, played and had grown up together, and while their origins were different, war had brought them together. And while it was potentially a grim thought, Hylon knew it was infinitely better than being alone.

===

The town, Hylon wasn’t sure what it was called, came into view as they rounded a bend in the road. A collective cheer rose up from each cart in sequence as the occupants of each spotted drifting smoke trails and the distant peaks of buildings.

“Hey, grandfather, we’re here.” He said over his shoulder.

The old man perked up, running a hand through his grey hair, his dark eyes darting to the settlement. “So we are…” He murmured.

“Sit tight for a little longer, we’ll find a spot to rest once we’re inside- nevermind then.” Hylon said, watching as Silas hopped out of the cart with agility that belied his advanced age and fading health. His grandfather landed with a slight stumble, but was otherwise okay. The thud of his wooden cane striking the road came in rhythmic taps as he walked along besides the cart.

“This old man needs to keep up appearances.” Silas said with a wink. “Wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m weak, now would I?”

Cerri glared down at their grandfather from where she sat next to Hylon, her expression unamused. “I could always try and heal you, you know? It might help.”

“I appreciate the offer as always dear, but as I’ve already told you, the wound is as much muscle and tendon as it is with the joint. Besides, it's an old injury, it’s damn near a part of me now, magic can only do so much.” The old man turned, then waved back at one of the carts further down the line.

“It’s only part of you because you’re stubborn.” Cerri muttered under her breath, and Hylon placed a hand on her shoulder. He could, and would, tease her about pretty much anything, but he knew that her inability to restore the man who had saved their collective lives weighed heavily on her.

Hylon watched his grandfather out of the side of his eye, noticing how a ripple of energy ran down the man’s body and how its steps became less stilted. It was only after receiving his class and having gained several levels that he truly understood the benefits the system could bestow upon those who sought out challenge and growth. If Silas was a lower level, his injury may very well have been crippling. Attributes and skills could make up the difference, and Hylon knew from his time training under the man that his grandfather could move when he needed.

As they approached the town several guards on the earthworks surrounding the settlement spotted them, though with how a handful went running off further into the town he hoped they hadn’t mistaken his family for bandits or worse, invading soldiers from the west.

“They seem agitated.” Cerri commented. “Yeah. Do you think there will be any trouble, grandfather?”

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Silas was digging through his pockets, and it took him several moments to reply as he procured a small silver badge and started fastening it to his shirt, though his jacket shifted to cover the design. “Probably monster attacks if I had to guess, even without an imminent dungeon break the conclusion of turbulence usually sees one last flurry of activity.”

“One of them has a bow. I think he might shoot us.” Cerri said, squinting into the distance.

“Probably a perception enhancing skill when aiming with a bow.” Hylon commented, turning his attention back to the road as the cart shook from a particularly nasty bump.

“Huh, sounds neat. You want a skill like that?”

“Why would I want a bow skill? I use a spear.”

“I mean a perception enhancing skill in general, dummy.”

“I already have [Combat Awareness].”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“It's a perception skill.”

“You’re being obtuse!”

“How? It’s a perception skill?”

“It’s not the kind I was asking about!”

“But it helps me perceive things!”

They both cursed as the cart jolted below them.

“Focus on the road, dumbass.” Cerri muttered.

“I would if you stopped distracting me.”

Off to the side Silas chuckled. “Ah, to be young and foolish.”

“To be young and have two working legs.” Cerri sniped, something hard impacting the back of her head a moment later “Owch!”

Their grandfather laughed, then started jogging towards the town, no hint of his limp in his stride. Hylon and Cerri exchanged a meaningful look, then Hylon leapt down off the cart and ran after him. His sister cursed as she scrambled to catch the reins he tossed at her, a tirade of insults following as he chased after Silas.

Hylon had gained strength over the past year since he had received his class, dedicated much of his time to training and conditioning, even still his crippled grandfather was effortlessly faster.

Skills are cheating. One moment he’s crippled, the next he’s as spry as can be. He thought, amused as he tried to pick up speed.

Hylon pushed himself, and despite Silas’s gait not changing, the older man pulled further ahead. By the time he arrived at the base of the town’s earthwork Silas was exchanging casual words with a particularly hairy individual in gambison and an armoured skirt that likely pre-dated the war with the enslavers. He wasn’t sure if the guard hated pants, or simply didn’t need them with how insulated his legs were.

“-Seven trained and ready adventurers, and a warning of an imminent threat in the Varan mountains.”

“You a guild?” The guard asked, his bushy monobrow knitted into a frown.

“Of a sort.”

“Fine. Bring your people around to the eastern entrance, I’ll meet you there.”

“I request a meeting with whoever is in charge. This is a matter of some urgency.”

“I’ll expedite it.” The guard said, waving Silas away. “We’ve already received a warning from another source.”

“I see.” The old man said, turning to Hylon. “I suppose we should do as the gentleman says.”

“How’s your leg?”

Silas sniffed, grinding his cane into the worked soil. “Since when did you all start treating me as something delicate? I’m stronger than all of you combined. Always have been, always will be.”

Hylon shrugged, then gestured back at the approaching train of carts to head along the eastern path. He received a rude gesture from Cerri , but their convoy adjusted course. His grandfather was already moving, so he hurried to catch up.

“Who do you think noticed the dungeon break? Another guild maybe? Did the Sunflower guild beat us here?”

“Those lot needed to get permission from their lord before doing anything. One of many inefficiencies we as independents we don’t need to worry about.”

Sure, but not having to worry about funding or a lack of legal recognition would be nice. Hylon thought, but didn’t say.

“It was before my time, but the guilds and noble houses used to be less intertwined.” Silas continued, his tone shifting into one that Hylon recognised as his ‘I’m about to lecture you so you better listen closely voice’.

“Uh, huh.” He said, nodding along as they circled the perimeter of the town. His eyes were glazed over within less than a minute. Who cared about the history of what had once been. Focusing on the future was always more effective.

True to his word, the incredibly hairy guard met them at the eastern entrance. The man directed them to where they should park their belongings, then gestured for them to follow. “There’s currently a meeting taking place to discuss… the threat.” The guard said. “Your presence may prove useful.”

Silas grunted, his gaze sweeping around the street. He turned to the approaching line of carts. “You kids unpack! And stay out of trouble, we won’t be long.” He called, glancing at Hylon, his voice lowered. “Let’s go, boy. Time to impose ourselves on the lovely people of this town.”

“Wait! Hylon, this is your cart!” Cerri yelled. “Come back, I’ll go instead.”

He gave her a rude gesture and followed the guard and his grandfather further into the town. Silas engaged the man in conversation, but Hylon found his attention drawn to the hardy buildings, streaked with damage from Turbulence, some roofs having collapsed, wooden window shutters broken.

Townsfolk worked to repair what was damaged, many with grim expressions. But that was life outside of the larger cities, you built and grew what you could in three months, then hunkered down to survive the following months of chaos. The countryside bred hardy people, but the immaterial nature of their lives and the lack of tangible progress was something he had always found frustrating.

They quickly reached a large stone temple, weather and timeworn pillars that the townsfolk hadn’t gotten around to repainting yet stood like monolithic sentinels to either side of the arched entrance. People crowded around the entrance, and echoing voices could be heard from within.

Hairy, the guard had probably introduced himself but Hylon hadn’t heard him, marched right on up the steps to the temple and started pushing his way inside. Silas raised an eyebrow, then smoothly followed the passageway created by the other man’s forceful entrance. Hylon hurred to fall in step behind his grandfather, and a minute later they found themselves in a large circular room.

Several older men and women sat around in a loose ring, several arguing animatedly, others looking as though they were about to fall asleep. A haggard looking man who looked no older than Silas pinched the bridge of his crooked nose as if fighting away a rising headache. He noticed the new arrivals to their meeting, and raised a hand, ushering the room to silence.

“Captain Drus, I take it you have news for us as to the nature of the current… incident we are facing?”

“I do, magistrate.” The hairy guard, Drus Hylon supposed, said with a brisk nod.

Silas straightened his spine and hobbled forward, dipping his head, but not bowing to those who were likely the town leadership. His attention turned to the leader of the meeting, the man Drus had acknowledged as town magistrate.

“This is a waste of our time.” A man with a silvery braided beard that reached his ankles huffed. “We should employ a guild surveying team, not trust the words of children and cripples.”

Hylon felt his fist tighten by reflex, and shot a look at his grandfather. He didn’t care about being referred to as a child, it was technically true, but hearing any insult towards Silas that didn’t come from his, or his sibling’s mouths made protective anger flare within his chest. For his part Silas was seemingly unphased as he impassively met the eye of everyone in the room, his chin tilted slightly upwards. Long beard grunted and looked away dismissively, muttering something about tall tales and fanciful stories.

“I am Silas Forde, and I swear on my name that the following is true.” Silas said, shifting his coat to reveal the metallic badge pinned to his breast. “Over these past few days I have witnessed evidence of beast migration that suggests an imminent, or ongoing dungeon break in the Varan mountains.”

Several members of the meeting suddenly sat up straighter, including the magistrate. They likely had never met his grandfather before, but some had clearly heard of him. A noble demanded respect, even a fallen one.

“And you are certain of this?” The magistrate asked. “If so, this crisis is coming at a very poor time.”

“I swore, and will swear again. I once oversaw a half tamed dungeon on behalf of the royal family, the signs are clear. With the chaotic Mana of turbulence coming to a rest, the dungeon, wherever it may be, has likely reached a point of maturity where it now poses a threat to the surrounding region.”

“We had no records of any new dungeons spotted in the mountains, not that there wasn’t historical precedent of such a thing occurring in the past. Or we didn’t until yesterday.” The magistrate stroked his chin thoughtfully, then twisted in his seat to look behind him. He gestured towards a hooded figure partially hidden from sight by several spectators. “Please.” He said. “Come forward and tell those here what you told me.”

The figure seemed to hesitate, then gingerly stepped up next to the magistrate. Hylon squinted, as did several others in the room, his eyes struggling to make out more than a vague outline of a person. The effect shrouding their appearance faded as they pulled back their hood to reveal a face covered in a mask of ivory-white wood, and a head of dark locks tied back into a short tail.

Hylon frowned, leaning forward slightly. Was the mask some sort of fashion statement, or was it meant to hide the adventurers identity? Whatever the reason, she gave off the sort of intimidating, experienced air that those like Jed had to force. He was far from a perfect judge of strength, but he’d be willing to bet that his instincts were correct.

“This adventurer arrived late last evening.” The magistrate said, placing a hand onto the masked stranger's shoulder. “Go on, girl. Tell those here what you told me. Have you seen the dungeon with your own eyes?”

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The masked adventurer scanned her surroundings, her gaze lingering on Silas, quickly brushing over Hylon and several others before returning to the magistrate. She nodded, then spoke, her words clear even with the sound partially muffled by the mask.

“I have. And I know where it is.”

That earned a round of muttering among those gathered in the temple, many whispering to one another in a mix of worry, or in some cases disbelief. The magistrate raised his hand again, and once more the room fell into silence. “For the record, I believe her.”

“If we set out to subjugate the dungeon, would you be able to guide us, girl?” Silas asked.

The adventurer nodded again. “Yes. That’s why I’m here.”