City of Fallen Souls: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 3) by Jez Cajiao (fb2 epub reader .txt) 📕

you can go on your way. You only have to swear to me if you want access to the Great Tower and the Altars of the Gods. You only have to swear to me if you want my help to spread the word of those Gods, and if you want to help in what’s coming.”

“What is coming?” Mal asked me, cocking his head to the side in question and drumming his fingers on the stock of one of his magical crossbows. “Besides us robbing Himnel blind?”

“A war,” I said simply. “A war between the Gods. Believe me, you can be with us, or against us, but you won’t want to be on the sidelines.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Mal, if you want to survive it, you’ll need to pick a side… and our side cares if you live or die. The God of Death doesn’t.”

“Good point,” Mal muttered.

“Exactly, mate. Now, I think the Goddess asked for an Oath, and it’s one directly to her, not to me, so let’s do this one together,” I said, closing my eyes, sinking to one knee, and speaking slowly and clearly as the room watched on.

“I, Jax, swear upon my soul that I will not speak of the return of the Gods, save to aid them, until given permission by the Goddess Jenae.” I felt a burning sensation pass through me. It only lasted a second, but the aftermath was weirdly cooling, and I let out a sigh of relief as I slowly straightened up again. I smiled to myself as the others started to make their own Oaths.

“Jax, I can’t help you much in the days to come, not with as much as that spell cost me, but call to me if you need me, and I’ll provide you with Quests when I can…” Jenae said, and I found a prompt opening before my eyes.

You have been given a Quest by the Goddess Jenae: ‘Bring Home the Bacon…’

The Goddess Jenae has commanded you to retrieve all you can from those that skulk and raid the corpse of the Empire. Take your rightful place as their Lord and bring back that which you need to repair the seat of your Power, the Great Tower.

Recover Magical Artifacts and Technologies: 0/?

Retrieve Manastones: 0/100

Recruit additional citizens: 0/100

Recruit skilled crafters: 0/100

Recruit a Tower Healer: 0/1

Bonuses will be given for exceeding these numbers.

Reward: Basic functionality of the Great Tower, Unknown, 250,000Exp

“I’ll reach out to you soon with a location for the Spellbooks you’ll need, Jax, as well as other powerful artifacts.”

“Thank you, Jenae,” I said, nodding my head, and I felt the shift in pressure that let me know she’d gone.

Silence filled the room for a few seconds as I sat back down.

“So, everyone happy that the plan goes ahead?” I asked, my exhaustion insistently clawing at the inside of my brain. I looked around the room, getting hesitant and firm nods, depending on the person, until I finally came to Mal and Nerin.

Mal was staring into the distance, refusing to make eye contact, and Nerin was watching me.

“Has Ashante, Goddess of Life joined this fight?” she asked me, and I managed a smile. “As far as I know, they’re all awakening. Jenae has filled me in on some of the past, so they won’t be joining the other side, if that’s what you’re worried about. The Gods are all with Jenae.”

“Hmmm, I’ll consider it,” she said, standing up. “Now, I need to leave. I’ll come back tonight and see what happens in the Arena; maybe I’ll even help this big lug out.” She gestured offhandedly at Augustus before heading to the door.

Others soon started to drift away, so I forced myself to my feet. Oracle shifted to her full form and helped to take my weight as Bane moved in close, offering me a shoulder.

“Mal?” I asked, and he looked back at me, his mind seeming to return from miles away.

“What?” he asked, his tone short.

“Are you still with us?” I replied bluntly, hoping the remnants of the spell would make sure he gave me an honest answer.

“Yes,” he said, after a moment’s hesitation. “But unless there’s a good reason, you’re staying in here. We’ll have people brought to you.”

“Until the last night,” I pressed, fixing him with a glare. “I promised to deal with the Skyking. Three days, I’ll wait, and I’ll fight in the Arena as soon as I’m able, but on the fourth night, our last night, I’m taking him down.”

“If we can find it, you can. If not, you damn well leave with your head held high. This is going to be the biggest theft ever. My name’s going to go down in history, son, and I’ll not jeopardize that!” he said, a faint grin coming to his face. I grinned back at him weakly, relieved that I still had my team.

“Come on…” Oracle whispered to me, hugging me as much as helping me to stay upright. “Let’s get you back to our rooms…”

“Yeah, baby, yeah…” I whispered back to her weakly and got a snort in response.

“Like you’ve got the energy now,” she replied quietly. “Next time, I won’t miss the chance!”

I grinned at her, forcing myself to walk. My knees nearly buckled with each step, until at last, I returned to my room and collapsed on the bed.

The last thing I heard was Oracle speaking in hushed tones to Augustus and his men, filling them in on what had happened. Augustus gave Amaat orders to return to the Enclave and fill in the Legion in turn. The last thing I saw, though, was the flickering shadows surrounding Bane as he took up station in my room, watching over me, as the world fell into blackness.

Chapter Fourteen

I woke up slowly, lying exhausted in my bed. I could feel each individual ache and pain as I forced my arms and legs to stretch out. I extended each one slowly, and both felt and heard my back pop and crack.

I opened my eyes, barely able to