Patrick Laplante
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PU Book 3 - Chapter 85: Power Games
🕑 Added 2024-11-14 03:35:58 +0000 UTCI'm a little late this week because of adapting to the new job. Which is going well. 1/4 chapters this week. I'll catch up on the weekend if it comes to that.
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The Viper Pit was packed. Unfamiliar faces filled the upper seats, pushing mainstay elders of the clan down onto the floor, where they jostled elbow to elbow with elders of other clans and branch members of enemy factions.
The usual darkness and green lights had been done away with in favor of bright torches and luxurious, throne-like chairs. Each representative unabashedly wore their clan’s colors as they bickered and argued for political dominance.
“We’re not saying we need to monopolize the Death Tinctures,” said Elder Salem, an elder from the Kor Clan. His clan specialized in physical transportation via their unique flying ships and mercenary services. “All we’re saying is that it’s in our best interests to make sure all the elders in each of our clans have access to the tinctures, should they be willing to push past that last barrier.
“Statistically—"
“Statistically, three tinctures grant, a little less than a 60% chance of succeeding after three consecutive trials,” interrupted Elder Wesley from the Abberjay branch. “And should the 40% play out, your clans would be down three chief elders, essentially crippling your clans. None of the assembled clans should even consider attempting the process unless their Grand Elders fall in battle or succumb to old age.”
“Whyever not?” interrupted Elder Raina from the Shelling Clan. Theirs was a clan of ranged fighters that employed alchemical munitions. Very deadly assuming they had the funds to buy ingredients. “Additional demigods would give us an advantage in the upcoming struggles that simply can’t be mimicked.”
“And here I thought we’d allied ourselves with intelligent organizations,” said Elder Brasa from the Hargrave Clan. “A demigod might be unmatched on the battlefield, but such powerful entities can’t easily hold ground. These tinctures were obviously offered up as insurance to our respective clans to provide hope for future generations. Not as an edge in combat, as some weaker minds might think.”
“That’s awfully rich, considering that the Hargrave Clan has already made an attempt and failed,” said Elder Raina.
“If your Grand Elder was as close to death as ours is, I’m sure your clan would have made a similar gamble,” said Elder Brasa drily. “Besides, we have twice as many chief-elder level figures compared to smaller clans like yours. It’s a loss we can stomach.”
The bickering continued among the lower-level figure. They reached a peak just as a sword ripped through the chamber’s shielding. Chief Elder Marik stepped out wielding his poisonous sword. “I’m hope I didn’t miss anything important?” said the Elder, tossing the blade carelessly to the side, where it floated unassisted.
A flash of gray occurred seconds later. Chief Elder Adrian directly teleported into the chamber, bypassing the joint barrier erected by the clan leaders to join Chief Elder Marik, Chief Elder Ignis, Chief Elder Morrow Rosaire Kepler, and Chief Elder Darjee Lucian Kepler. The five sat nearest Clan Leader Reeves and his son Fineas, who’d just been elevated to the position of an honorary elder despite his lacking cultivation.
“My apologies, Clan Leader,” said Chief Elder Adrian with an almost mocking bow. “There was an attack on the Kepler Clan’s spatial nodes that we had to rebuff.”
“Anything we should be worried about?” inquired Clan Leader Reeves.
Chief Elder Marik snorted. “It was just a couple of scouts from the Riss Clan. Word on the street is that they’re sending out feelers across all of Olympia in preparation for a major offensive.”
“I’ll corroborate his claim,” said Chief Elder Darjee. “No less than seven probes have occurred in the past three hours. And that’s just counting human-inhabited territory.”
“Do we have any idea what they want?” asked Clan Leader Reeves with interest.
“I have a little bit of information on that front,” volunteered Elder Carp from lower down. He was a senior elder who oversaw the hospitals in the Riss Clan’s territory. “From what I’ve gathered, war isn’t so much the means as it is the end goal.”
“Fantastic,” said Clan Leader Reeves. “That means Benjamin is sniffing around for war like we always expected him to do. A war we won’t be giving him.”
“With all due respect, can we really refuse as war if they want one?” asked Clan Leader Jessica from the Shelling Clan. She had a small frame compared to the relatively tall members of her clan, but positively reeked of danger. Pockets could be seen everywhere on her ceremonial garment. Pockets that likely contained bombs, munitions, and a variety of ranged weaponry they called ‘guns’.
The corner Clan Leader Reeves’ mouth curled upward. “It’s never about whether we can say no, and more about whether he wants to say yes. In terms of power, how would you rank our current alliance, Chief Elder Adrian?”
Chief Elder Adrian cleared his throat. “Well, discounting loose forces? Maybe 8th in the city? Not overly high.”
“And in terms of utility?” continued Clan Leader Reeves.
To that, Chief Elder Adrian smiled. “First place, naturally. There are two reasons for this: firstly, the death tinctures, which are still available should any of the powers that be capitulate to our outrageous demands. The second reason is naturally that we possess half the physicians in the city. If the Riss Clan wants to fight a few wars, he’s going to suffer casualties.”
“But do we have enough forces to defend ourselves if the need arises?” interrupted Clan Leader Barhest Kor.
“Truth be told, I think we have just the right amount,” said Chief Elder Adrian. “The firepower we’ve assembled, though sufficient to frighten away medium-sized forces, still can’t hold a candle to the major forces. That said, whoever attacks us will find themselves delayed long enough for help to arrive. No power in the human-governed section of Olympia dares to allow another to gain an army of physicians. Similarly, none of them dare kill us off given the presence of seven enemy zones.”
Clan Leader Reeves chuckled. “There you have it. Now that the Evils are gone, we’re in a very favorable position. All we need to do is stall for maximum benefits.”
The leaders of the Shelling Clan and the Kor Clan had clearly lost out in this exchange. And since Clan Leader Reeves had the advantage, Sorin naturally chose this moment to intercede.
“All the Evils?” said Sorin. Silence spread throughout the viper pit. “I don’t recall Lord Hope entering Mount Olympus.”
Clan Leader Reeve’s expression grew cold. Yet before he could personally address this, Fineas spoke up. “And how would you, someone who isn’t even a demigod, even know this? Last I heard, you were nearly killed from the aftershocks of Olympia’s merger.
Sorin raised an eyebrow. “Reeves, have you considered putting down that pup of yours? If you keep letting him bark, he’ll drag down your entire branch.”
“You think you mean anything?!” snapped Fineas. “I’ve finally cracked the death tincture, something that has stumped our family for generations. And what have you done? Aside form perpetually embarrass us and pit us against the Hyde Clan?”
Sorin ignored the outburst and focused on Clan Leader Reeves. “It seems you are truly unaware. Did the Grand Elder not deem it prudent to inform you of Lord Hope’s status? And what of you, Grand Elder Hargrave? And you, Grand Elder Shelling and Grand Elder Kor?”
“I can confirm,” said Grand Elder Hargrave, interceding on Sorin’s behalf, “that Lord Hope did not enter Mount Olympus. At least not directly. That said, he’s not known to be an honest Evil. He might have entered indirectly through the five human deities. He could have also snuck in. Really—:
“We’re not sure,” finished Sorin, looking from Grand Elder to Grand Elder and focusing on Grand Elder Kor. “Grand Elder Kor, your spiritual senses are the strongest among the demigods present. Did you sense anything definitive that would indicate that Lord Hope has left the Pandoran Continent to enter Mount Olympus?”
Grand Elder Kor snorted dismissively. “What’s that got to do with a whelp like you?” The buff old man had braided gray hair and a braided gray beard. He was positively brimming with physical strength.
Sorin shook his head and sighed. “Really, Grand Elder, these allies of yours leave much to be desired. They can posture all they want, but ultimately, they’re lacking compared to some of the stronger demigods out there.”
“Listen here you whelped,” said Grand Elder Kor. His aura flared, and the projection of a mighty silver ship appeared behind him, threatening to tear Sorin apart.
Yet Sorin merely smiled and raised his hand. Seven thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine serpents appeared behind him, summoning a poisonous aura that forced the demigod back a step. “I’ll forgive your offense just this once, but you should remember that you have precious descendants. Descendents I could eradicate with but a thought.
Seeing Grand Elder Kor’s failure, Grand Elder Shelling opted for a more moderate clash. Their auras mingled and mixed, with Sorin’s coming out slightly on top. “I see that the Kepler Clan is filled with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. I greet you, Sorin Abberjay Kepler, and declare you qualified to speak with us as equals.” Her words caused Fineas to pale and his father’s expression to turn bitter.
Unfortunately, Sorin was unable to crank up the pressure before a sigh rang through the chamber. “I am gratified to see that a God Seed of our clan has finally reached the same heights as I. And at such an opportune time; chaos is at a peak, and very few clans can claim to be in a good position.
“That is doubly so given Lord Hope’s unaccounted status. The Temple of Hope has barred its doors and refuses to answer the inquires of even us demigods.
“In fact, a select group of us demigods have informally shared ideas. The running theory is that Lord Hope is more tightly bound than the other evils and requires additional strength to break free. And like all evils, he will grow by collecting energies consistent with his nature: Hope, fostered through suffering and despair.
It was only a small exchange, but the words of the three grand elders cemented Sorin’s status as a figure equal to a grand elder. “Now Sorin, word is that you had a very convincing brush with death that will shed light on the current situation. Would you enlighten us with both your experiences and your own opinion on the current state of events?”
