Patrick Laplante
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PU Book 3 - Chapter 86: Pressing Problems
🕑 Added 2024-11-15 13:58:49 +0000 UTCSorin considered Grand Elder Kepler’s words before firmly abridging his escapades in the Undercity. If his seniority was equal to a Grand Elder’s, there was no need to justify his actions or even incriminate himself.
“Around the time of the Undercity’s collapse, I happened to be present in the Styx Auction House,” Sorin explained to the assembled elders. “Specifically, I was there to retrieve a dear friend of mine, who happened to have been caught by a mysterious organization called the Golden Circle.
“I won’t bore you with the details of the auction or the identity of my friend. Suffice to say that I shall collect interest for his mistreatment. It was shortly after the auction, however, that things went very wrong. Ratten Hyde engaged in battle with a fierce fighter, and the battle eventually led to the Gate of the Underworld being damaged. Ratten Hyde was forced to supplement the gate with his own energies.
Sorin then gave the Grand Elders a meaningful look. “I’m uncertain about the events on the surface, only that they involve the Ouroboros, Aaron Zeiss, and the five deities. Then latter, for reasons unbeknownst to me, Aaron decided to assist Ratten in stabilizing the gate despite their conflicting energies.
“This had the inadvertent consequence of further damaging the Gate of the Underworld, just enough that Death was able to emerge from its depths. Three of Pandora’s deities descended into the Undercity to contain Death. The Ouroboros took advantage of this opening to forge a connection to the underworld and activated the Great Working that assembled the scattered pieces of Mount Olympus.”
Grand Elder Kepler nodded. “This is consistent with what we experienced. Originally, all five deities were guarding the Ouroboros, but two of them were dispatched to handle instabilities in Mattapan. There are two known Gates of the Underworld, and the one in Mattapan is the original. The one in the Undercity is a linked copy.
“With Aaron Zeiss’s departure and the departure of the remaining three deities, the Ouroboros was left with no one to guard them.
“We’re uncertain how he was able to summon Mount Olympus’s fragments, but I imagine it has something to do with Aaron. His clan is, after all, the guardian of Mount Olympus and its fragments. Rumor has it that they descended from the unnamed leader of the gods, just as the Hyde Clan descended from the leaders of the underworld.”
Sorin found it interesting how much they knew despite the Historical Amnesia but saw no need to correct them on the fact that Aaron and Ratten were likely incarnations of these leaders in some shape or form. Their karma and power were simply too massive otherwise.
“I did not witness the fates of Aaron and Ratten,” said Sorin. “But I suspect that they are still alive. I did, however, clearly witness Death leaving the Underworld and entering Mount Olympus after it formed, so we can rest assured that the most powerful evil is not a lurking danger.
“As for the Undercity itself, it is gone. Whatever power and wealth the Hyde Clan accumulated there was destroyed with Death’s emergence. As for the disappearance of the divine clans, I briefly witnessed the five deities harvest their divinity, corruption, and souls before entering Mount Olympus. In the end, they were naught but glorified livestock.”
The Grand Elders frowned. It was clear that they were unaware as to the extend of the damage to the divine clans. “This entire arrangement stinks of choreography,” Grand Elder Kor finally said. “It’s a well-known fact that the Zeiss Clan and Hyde Clan’s powers are incompatible. What’s more, the Zeiss Clan’s mandate is protecting Olympia proper. It should have been impossible for Aaron to enter the Undercity, as it would violate the oath chains binding the core of his being.”
“Unless he was ordered to do so, to his detriment,” said Grand Elder Hargrave. “If a majority of Pandora’s deities ordered Aaron to enter the Undercity and aid Ratten against all common sense, he would have no choice but to do so. Such are his bindings. As for what reasons they would have for doing so, there are many plausible ones. Very human ones. The five deities were known to be jealous of both Aaron and Hyde and their predecessors.”
“One more thing,” said Sorin. “Though the divine clans were extinguished by their deities, a few of the more powerful figures might have slipped through the cracks.” Namely, Madeline Dem, whom Sorin strongly suspected to be an incarnation of the powerful Olympia, Poseidon.
Grand Elder Kepler nodded. “We must be wary of those who may have escaped this calamity. Slaves of Lord Hope they may be divine clansmen have great power due to Lord Hope’s touch. Yes, Grand Elder Shelling?”
“I just don’t see why these facts make any difference,” said Grand Elder Shelling. “We already considered these details when vetting our alliance.”
Grand Elder Kepler smiled. “True. But it makes all the difference if those assembled know what’s at stake.” He smirked at Clan Leader Reeves. “I will reiterate this. We cannot grow complacent. We must stay on guard against all known and hidden enemies. The fractures in our clans are weaknesses that the remaining Heralds will take advantage of. That’s not even considering Lord Hope’s less-desirable influences.”
“Then let’s return to the matter of Death Tinctures,” said Grand Elder Shelling. “There’s something you’re not telling us.” Grand Elder Kepler looked to Clan Leader Reeves, who cleared his throat before answering.
“The tincture is unfortunately a new tincture with a high demand on raw ingredients,” said Clan Leader Reeves. “We are working on streamlining production. I believe E—Grand Elder Sorin is currently working on this?”
“Indeed,” said Sorin, quite pleased at the change of address. “Unfortunately, I’ve only started looking into the matter. I believe I would make quick progress if the Mockingjay Branch wasn’t so secretive about the source of its core ingredient.”
“This is necessary to prevent tampering with the core ingredient,” interrupted Grand Elder Kepler.
Sorin sealed away this piece of information for future reference. “Then I can only do my best. At the very least, I can get my team of apothecaries working on the base ingredients and identified alternatives. Meanwhile, I will try and incorporate higher tier poisons into the mixture, both to increase the number of tinctures produced as well as their potency.”
Clan Leader Reeves nodded. “Since the matter has been addressed, why don’t we forget this tincture business and discuss when production levels are up?” The other three clan leaders mumbled in grudging agreement. “Let’s instead focus on defending and growing our assets. I hear battle lines have been drawn against Death and Violence, our two neighboring regions?”
“Indeed,” said Chief Elder Marik. “Thankfully, Violence is a known entity, so it didn’t take much time at all to organize a preliminary defence. Our most pressing problem as an alliance isn’t so much fighting as making sure our forces aren’t syphoned off unfairly by other powers.
“We have physicians, and they are in high demand. Unfortunately, the major powers insist that our alliance commits at least a token force. Our clan’s accommodating reputation is once again working against us. We have no way to refuse without upsetting many of our contacts.”
“What of the Riss Clan?” interjected Chief Elder Marik’s equivalent in the Shelling Clan, a middle-aged man with a crew cut that went by Chief Elder Brosca. “They’re only sending out probes now, but it’s only a matter of time before they decide on a target for ‘internal consolidation’ or ‘eliminating internal threats’.
“A show of force would go a long way in deterring their advances. Perhaps the Hargrave Clan could take care of this?” The old veteran was riddled with scars. He proudly wore a prosthetic leg as a trophy of his many battles against the infinite dungeon’s mythical incursions.
“Oh?” said Chief Elder Moros Hargrave. “Are you finally convinced of the superiority of treacherous and scorched earth tactics? Poisoning the well, so to speak?”
“So to speak?” said Chief Elder Brosca incredulously. “Your clan literally poisons wells, Moros. Let’s not mince words. And given the harshness of our current situation, that’s exactly the kind of thing we need.”
Though Sorin’s new status prevented him from overly intervening in the proceedings, this was too much. He raised his hand, silencing the conversation. “Am I to understand,” said Sorin softly, “that you want the Hargrave Clan to make an example of civilian forces?”
Chief Elder Brosca stuttered. “D-desperate times call for desperate measures, Grand Elder. We might not be able to measure up with the Riss Clan militarily, but we can make them think if we target an uninvolved third party. The Carn Clan, for example.”
Sorin snorted. “I thought your clan was filled with battle-hardened warriors, Brosca. The fact that you’d bully the weak to prove our alliance’s might rather than deal a blow to a stronger faction makes me wonder if we should reconsider our alliance.”
“With all due respect, Grand Elder Sorin, the alliance is ratified,” interjected Clan Leader Reeves. “The contract has been signed. These oaths are binding ones that we are helpless to escape.”
“The agreement contains ample cancellation clauses and corresponding prices for doing so,” said Sorin evenly. “If my read on the room’s karma is correct, that is. Regardless, don’t worry about making a splash. I’ll take care of it.”
Clean Leader Reeves cleared his throat. “The rules of engagement—”
“Don’t apply to God Seeds,” interrupted Grand Elder Kepler. “What’s more, the rules of engagement were based on an agreement between deities. Such rules have lost all meaning and should be ignored.”
“Ahem. Then since Grand Elder Sorin has volunteered to take care of this matter, we’re only left with internal threats,” said Clan Leader Reeves. “Namely, the rogue myths and Agents in the city. Already, they’re fanning the flames of war. Many, like the Riss Clan, are favorable to this arrangement and have protected certain agents. The Mattapan Block has also taken it upon itself to hold back the tide of undead leaking into our region and eliminating any rogue agents of Death.
“This only leaves the dread Agents of Disease. And given our clan’s medical proficiency, this duty has fallen entirely on our shoulders.” He gave Sorin a pointed look. “I believe this also falls on Grand Elder Sorin and his people. Poison-based medicine is the only reliable approach to containing the damage caused by these agents.”
“If I may,” Interrupted the soft-spoken Chief Elder Moiraie from the Abberjay Branch. She was the top-ranking life-based physician in the clan, and typically only involved herself in the decision-making process if it required her expertise. “Life-based magic also plays a large role in fighting these agents. Our Abberjay Branch and your Mockingjay branch must face this threat together. In addition, we cannot let the Pollen Clan and its allies shirk their duties. All physicians must do their part.”
“Honestly, it’s the Agents of the Disease that are the real problem,” said Chief Elder Ignis, the punishment elder. Despite his role as an enforcer, he was also a powerful physician with a sterling reputation. “I’ll sick the enforcement squads on them. As long as they’re dead, this won’t be a problem.”
“You will do no such thing,” said Sorin. Once again, all eyes fell on him.
“Are you saying that you’ll simultaneously look into the Death Tincture, make a splash to frighten off potential enemies, and eliminate the Agents of Disease?” asked Chief Elder Ignis. “Powerful you may be, but it’s not wise to split your attention such. What’s more, I’d like to remind you of the pitfalls of hubris. Nothing is more important to a physician than safeguarding the health and safety of humans in Olympia.”
“I understand,” said Sorin. “Which is why I said I’ll take care of it. I’m uniquely suited to tracking down such agents and would have done so regardless of what was discussed in council.”
Clan Leader Reeves coughed awkwardly. “I suppose that settles it. But just to be sure, we’ll schedule a meeting for three days from now to ensure progress is being made on all fronts.”
With that, the meeting was adjourned. The elders scattered, and the Grand Elders vanished from the room. Chief Elder Marik and Chief Elder Adrian shot Sorin inquisitive looks, but unfortunately for them, his seniority was above theirs. They could no longer demand explanations.
With the grand elders gone, Sorin no longer had anyone to speak to, so he returned to the Kepler Grand Hospital and addressed a few matters.
He dared no waste a single second. Not with Agents of Disease spreading plague and pestilence throughout the city.
