Well…
It hurt.
But let's start from a bit earlier. Taking up my obligations, I decided to head straight to Morn Castle. It seemed simple enough; there was no need to search for hidden paths, just ride straight along the road. I passed the site of the massacre, where bodies of humans and gnolls still lay. Then, after crossing a field littered with debris, the Stream led me to a guiding stone.
For now, I ignored the stone. Knowing that Irina's father could die at any moment—if he was even still alive—I used time dilation to reach the castle faster.
The journey wasn't extremely long, but it wasn't short either. Evening had begun to fall, and even with the aid of pure sand, maintaining control over time became difficult. In the world of sand, this would have been trivial. But in Elden, my power had limits. Not that these limits were particularly constraining.
And yet…
As the castle came into view, the Stream and I moved at normal time flow. To my utter shock, from the evening mist ahead, a massive damn log hurtled toward me! The Stream only managed a frightened shriek before it was obliterated by the battering impact. The strike knocked the wind out of me, and, now as a spirit, I stared in disbelief at… a colossal spear or arrow. My mind could hardly comprehend the size of the ballista that must have launched it.
At the same time…
I noticed, with even greater surprise, a spectral figure beside my body. Melina had knelt by me, gently stroking my face with concern.
Interesting effect…
I now had just enough strength to rewind time slightly. In an instant, I was back on my horse, and a strange hum reached my ears ahead. Not wanting to get hit again, I immediately opened a portal and leapt back into my world atop the Stream.
"Pfrrr…" The little horse snorted in shock, glancing around, pacing the sand with uncertainty.
I took stock of the situation. Elden was a dangerous place. Even if you could manipulate time, you could still be killed. Immortal though I was, revival only meant repeated deaths. And dying with such powers at my disposal left me feeling like a complete failure.
"Calm down, girl… it's safe here," I sighed, stroking the Stream's neck.
The horse nudged my shoulder with her nose, then relaxed, glancing around with interest.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've brought you here. Rest for now; we have time."
Here, I was unconstrained by Elden's flow, allowing me to catch my breath while mere seconds passed in that world. I regained a good portion of my strength and even checked on a small, now slightly taller, tree that greeted me with the friendly rustle of its leaves.
Plopping down on my sandy bed, my mind wandered to larger-scale constructions. Specifically, I wondered if I could bring more than the Stream into this world—perhaps Irina, if she agreed. It occurred to me that it might be nice to give this place a more civilized appearance. I'd already built a modest box-shaped house.
Could I construct something more impressive? A mansion, or even a palace…
For now, I chose not to expend energy on that. After resting, I returned to Elden, emerging from the portal onto the Stream. Riding the sandstorm, we cut through time until I finally spotted a massive arrow, frozen midair—the very thing that had nearly flattened us.
It took nearly a full minute to reveal the wielder through the mist…
A colossal giant wielding an enormous bow.
"Umm… how do you even fight this?" I muttered, bewildered.
The giant was fully armored, towering nearly twice the height of a tree guardian. The bow reached almost to the top of Morn Castle's walls behind him.
"Alright, let's try this…"
On the move, I cast a phalanx spell, then, as the giant approached, fired a sand projectile, channeling as much energy as possible through my golden sigil.
And…
The magical shot struck the giant's torso like a blazing comet, while my light blades stabbed his legs. Close enough now, I deployed an enhanced Reaper spell, forming a long magical blade at my spear's tip, slicing off one of the colossus's legs. Releasing the time hold, I observed its reaction.
The giant staggered, armor clanging, falling onto one knee, its other leg severed along my cut. Then it collapsed fully. But it reacted sluggishly. Almost recovering, the giant struggled to rise, releasing the bow and attempting to strike at me.
Not allowing it, I slowed time again, approached, and with the Reaper, sliced its neck.
That was enough. Its head fell to the ground. Its body lay motionless, and I absorbed a fair number of runes. Judging by the cut, the giant had never been alive—a magical puppet, powered perhaps not by magic but by some divine force. An interesting puzzle for later, perhaps to ask Selene or Gideon.
For now, the giant could wait. The castle awaited.
The Stream snorted in disapproval as we passed through the raised gates. Narrow spaces made her uneasy, so I let her spirit return to the whistle.
"Wow… they even have automation…"
To reach the castle yard, I ascended a lift, passing another "grace spot" that illuminated the interior of the wall. Finally, I reached the top. The castle stood on a hill, so its internal buildings and walls were unevenly arranged.
And then…
I entered the courtyard where half-human creatures were celebrating atop a pile of human corpses. A large beast-man growled incomprehensibly, shaking his fist, while behind him a charred human groaned on a cross. Others echoed their leader. Wild dogs gnawed at the fallen in the courtyard corners. No one even seemed to notice me.
The scene was pure savagery. Not wanting to witness the celebration, I prepared a phalanx spell—when an imperceptible howl of spirits caught my attention. Wolves surged into battle. Twice humiliated before, they sought redemption and perhaps this foe was worthy. I answered the call, ringing the bell.
The sound summoned both wolves and drew the attention of the monsters.
"GHRAAA!"
Several half-humans charged, while others approached slowly, giving the first wave a chance.
The wolves struck like silver winds, proving far more capable. The beast-man swung an axe, but the spectral wolf dodged and sank its fangs into his throat.
Meanwhile, I held my phalanx, and it was well worth it. Dogs lunging at me were pierced by glowing blades, and a half-human attempting to attack me was thrown back by a wave of raw magical force—a primal manifestation of time magic, untamed and wild. Selene would call it "primal magic." Primitive though it was, it was powerful, especially against weaker foes.
By the time the wolves finished off a half-human, the rest were distracted enough for me to launch sand projectiles freely. Most of the half-humans were eliminated. Only the leader with a huge axe managed to rise, seeking vengeance. I slowed time, stepping toward him, slicing with my golden Reaper.
"So… where do I find the local commander?" I looked around.
Before leaving Irina at the Round Table Fortress, I'd questioned her. Her father was likely in a high tower overseeing the battlefield. One of the few sane humans, he commanded half-mad captains who controlled mindless soldiers. These soldiers, mere shadows of men, remembered nothing of themselves—their martial discipline alone drove them. Fascinating. Now the workings of this chaos made sense.
Skipping over most of my wandering in the castle…
If the half-human servants were celebrating in the courtyard, soldiers still held the walls. On one wall, they pressed back monsters, and I passed silently in slowed time. On another, half-humans were pushing humans toward a tower lit with torches. There I found the commander: a fully armored warrior with a two-handed sword, lying as if dead, pierced through the chest.
I sighed, then…
"Ughh…" The man stirred, wrenching the sword from his body.
Ah, death here was… unreliable. Humans sometimes died incorrectly, crumbled into dust, or didn't die at all. The rules of life and death in Elden were… erratic.
"Oh… goddess, who—" He lifted his gaze at me. "Who are you?"
His armor was no ordinary suit; ornate metalwork, a proud shine, more befitting a noble knight than a simple soldier. Though superior, it had not withstood a heavy blow.
"My name is Kron," I said with a bow. "I'm looking for Edgar."
"Me…?" he asked, surprised.
"Are you Edgar? Do you know a woman named Irina?"
"My daughter… what of her?"
"She's safe. She asked me to deliver this letter."
I handed over the envelope. Though blind, Irina wrote carefully, even having me read it to ensure accuracy. She asked her father to leave the ruined castle and accompany her. Her concern was more for his life than her own survival.
"Irina…" Edgar read, sighing. "Forgive me… I cannot leave now. Lord Godric appointed me commander of this fortress. I must protect it."
He glanced at me.
"But you came all this way… disappointed, I suppose. Take this as compensation."
From his pouch, he produced a dried branch.
"Uh… what is it?"
"A sacred branch… it preserves the soul, allows rebirth even in death."
"Oh… I see. Better keep it." I waved it off.
Now I understood why he remained sane—perhaps he had not yet died often enough to lose his mind.
I sighed, peering over the tower edge at the ongoing battle.
"Tell your people not to attack me." I glanced at Edgar.
"Of course…"
I raised my spear, firing the first sand projectile, piercing a castle servant. Another beast-man fell, and then another. The tide on the wall turned as soldiers pressed the servants back.
"You're under no obligation…" Edgar remarked.
I ignored him, moving to another part of the tower to survey a different wall. Half-humans had gained the upper hand, descending toward the yard, but the first projectile struck them at the stairs. Targeting them individually, I realized I lacked wide-area spells. A magical explosion could have cleared them all, but I had no such magic yet. My phalanx could not reach that far. Something else was needed—or I could modify the spell.
I could also use spiral spears… I had almost forgotten I could fight without magic alone.
Ultimately, I decided to assist Edgar in reclaiming the castle. Not for justice—I was here solely for Irina. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been involved. Half-humans attacked on sight.
"Hmm… I thank you, Master Kron," Edgar said respectfully. "Your aid saved the day."
"I helped only so you could care for your daughter."
"I see… Irina… she is a wonderful, kind girl… I must reclaim the Morne family sword."
I rolled my eyes. This elder clearly recognized he could employ me for his ends. I felt compelled, having promised to bring her father—this was not difficult.
"Where is the sword?"
"The bastard Lionel possesses it."
"Bastard?" I arched an eyebrow.
"He leads this rebellion—the first to taste betrayal's madness!" He spat in anger.
Clearly, he misunderstood.
"We trusted these creatures in vain. They are twisted inside as well as out."
"Yes, yes… so where to find Lionel? I agreed to help, do not waste my time."
Perhaps I was becoming arrogant, at least toward uninteresting humans.
"Again, thank you, Master Kron. Follow me; I'll gather men and we will reclaim the castle. I will personally impale the traitor's head!"
I merely rolled my eyes. At least soldiers near Edgar did not challenge me, and he explicitly instructed them not to touch me. I insisted on finding the bastard and his sword first. Cleaning the castle could come later. I had already destroyed most of the servants, who might rise again, but soldiers could handle that.
Edgar led me to the coast behind the castle. It was isolated by fortress walls, a small island washed by waves. A massive oak stood there, with no apparent link to Erdtri. This was where the so-called bastard awaited—a large beast-man with a flowing lion-like mane.
He didn't lead the rebellion, only waited for someone to come for the sword. Surrounding him were numerous fallen soldiers and heaps of weapons.
"Edgar…" the beast rasped. "Bow… your head…"
"You vile traitor!" Edgar roared.
The beast snarled, red fire blazing in his eyes.
"RAAA!" He swung his two-handed weapon.
"Careful!" Edgar shouted.
I slowed time as Lionel lunged to split the commander. Not a problem. I simply approached and sliced the beast with the Reaper. Resuming time, I walked past as the bastard split in two behind me.
"Is that all?" I glanced back.
"Yes… now… I must find my daughter. Where did you see her?"
It astonished me that he only asked now.
"I sent her to the Round Table Fortress to…"
"What? That refuge for the forsaken?"
"The only safe place I know," I said. "And now, I'll return her to you."
With a flourish, I opened a sand portal to the fortress—a dual portal, first to my world, then to the fortress, effectively a vortex through the desert. I stepped into a hall with a table bristling with weapons—a symbol of peace among the fallen, sworn not to attack within the fortress.
I found Irina here. She sat in a chair, arms folded on the table, head resting, breathing calmly.
"Irina," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Wake up."
"Mmm…"
"Time to go home."
"Oaah… what?" she murmured, eyes fluttering open.
Her gaze met mine.
"Your father is safe, the servant uprising is quelled. I can return you to him."
"You…"
"I promised I'd return him to you, or you to him. Delivering a letter alone seemed insufficient."
"Sir…" she breathed, grasping my hand. "You really… thank you!"
"Yes, yes… if you're ready, let's go. Need more time?"
"No, I don't want anyone waiting. I'm ready."
I guided her hand through the portal.
"Irina!" Edgar's voice brightened.
"Dad…"
A happy reunion. Irina threw herself into her father's arms. I watched for a moment, then, having fulfilled my obligation, I turned to step into the still-open portal. She caught up and took my hand again—not exactly "caught up," I was close enough for her to find me by my steps.
"Thank you, Master Kron!" she said sincerely.
"I simply kept my word. No thanks necessary," I sighed, waiting for her to release my hand.
"But you honored your word… you could have left me… avoided the risk for my naive request. I thank you…"
"Irina." Edgar frowned.
Apparently, he didn't like how generously she thanked me. I felt a bit awkward myself.
"Our agreement ends here," I said, sighing.
"I hope… we meet again?" she said shyly.
I glanced at Irina, cheeks faintly flushed. Stockholm syndrome, no doubt.
"Hmm… perhaps," I replied. "I'll visit to ensure no one attacks the castle again, and your father won't have to send you into the forest among wild half-humans while fulfilling his duty."
Edgar's eyes widened.
Irina frowned, anxious.
Before her father could erupt in reproach or excuses, I slipped from her hand and vanished into the portal.