Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 475: Old Memories

“My Father… he… for a brief moment of my childhood, he was kinder. Not like Max’s parents are but… less cruel. When I got my elemental mastery skill on my choosing day, he doted on me even. It is a skill that he has, and he spent many weeks talking about all the things it could eventually become.

“I had an older brother who ended up in a fight with Atheila, and she killed him. The reason for the fight was often debated and looking back now I believe my parents forced it.”

‎ “Forced?” Fowl asked.

Nodding, Tanila frowned as she exhaled a deep breath.

“I only say that because, later, as I grew older and stronger, they often played us against each other, but I remember how fast it escalated after… after I killed a servant with my red skill.”

Max squeezed her hand as she took a few quick breaths and reset herself.

“It was the first time I understood how powerful it could be. Even though I was weak at the time, my power, combined with my bloodline, allowed me to dominate elves with ease. There was a period of time where… I took the lives of many servants and at no point did my father get upset. In fact… he often rewarded me with more servants. I… I was on a dangerous path until the day… the day I killed my only friend, Imra.”

A few tears came, and she wiped them away, quickly.

“Like all children, we fought, but I got upset when I believed Imra had shared a secret. She denied it, of course, swearing she would never do so. That was when Atheila came to me and told me that she had heard Imra talking with others and told me what she had said.

Tanila’s body trembled, and Max put his arms around her, drawing her close. Rakonath moved his tail and laid it at her feet.

For almost a minute, the only sound was Tanila holding back sobs and the fire crackling and popping.

“Two days later, I learned that Atheila had lied. She didn’t even deny it; she was just laughing about it. My mother told me I should fight her and prove that I was stronger.

Enraged and upset I did just that… Even though she is older by a few years, I beat her, almost killing her and stood over her like a victor ready to claim their prize. I… I can see that moment in my head so clearly. In the courtyard, everyone was watching… waiting…

“It was as if they wanted me to take her life. She was strong, but Atheila couldn’t compete with my elemental magic and Mind Reaving ability at that time. She couldn’t get close enough to overpower me physically and as she lay there on the grass, bleeding… I saw for the briefest moment a look of fear. Something I had never seen from her before.

“I… I saw the same look that Irma had. Knowing that she was just a few breaths away from death, and there was nothing she could do. The only thing that stopped me was the look I saw when I heard my mother laughing and glanced at her.

“She was excited, clapping both hands and urging me on. It was then that I recalled what had happened to my brother.”

Tanila closed her eyes and took a deep breath, held it and let it out slowly.

“It was that moment I bent down, grabbed my sister’s shredded dress, and spoke to her for the last time. I told her that I wasn’t going to kill her, but that if she ever did something like that again, I wouldn’t hold back.

“My mother was furious and my father seemed disappointed. Something changed and after that day the little bit of love I believed he had for me vanished. I… think it was that what he saw in me before then was someone who might become like Riniya. An elf that would go on to do stuff for Thuyja and not care who she hurt or murdered. I know he saw that I wouldn’t be that person and that… changed everything.”

Clearing her throat, Tanile wiped away the last few tears that appeared and regained her usual strong posture.

“Not long after, I left home and found these two dwarfs, lost and confused and needing some help.”

Batrile and Fowl each chuckled.

“That we did dear, that we did.”

“But we’re not here to talk about that. I know we need to understand what my Father has power-wise. Beyond the elemental magic, he has the power to command people. I’m unsure if it works only on elves, but I remember him meeting with humans and dwarves once and getting them to do whatever he wanted. He’s strong… far stronger than one might think is possible. Similar to Dagon. And his mind is sharp.

“Tacticians in the kingdom rarely ever came up with anything he hadn’t already seen or thought of. I know he can use different weapons from bows, swords, spears, and daggers. Watching him fight back then was impossible to follow, and it makes me think that he is most likely a match for you stat-wise at least with his gear and equipment.

“What about your sister?”

She shrugged.

“Her skill is like yours in some ways but takes only the physical attributes. She doesn’t gain abilities, but she can become incredibly strong. Whatever she is now… she’ll be an opponent that focuses on melee combat. With all the time she’s had to go around and harvest people, there is no telling where she could be.”

“And you believe she is past the 50th floor in the tower?” Max asked.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Slowly she nodded.

“One thing she desires is to be the chosen one of our Father. To do that requires her to complete it, and I know Atheila has a following and the backing of our Father.”

He frowned and scratched his chin.

“And your Mother?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen her do anything, but she would have to be strong if my father married her. The difference is she wasn’t born with our bloodline. It was given to her, which is why she always flaunts it. That sudden boost was too much for her to learn to overcome.

“And odds are she probably has acquired a red skill also from an elixir.”

“These odds keep getting worse every time we talk about this,” Fowl muttered.

“Yes, but the good news is I know where she’s going to be,” Tanila replied. “Thankfully, she won’t be in the castle as she and my mother have never gotten along since the day of our fight. If there is one thing about Atheila that has never changed, it’s that she doesn’t forgive or forget.”

“Typical woman,” Fowl muttered before getting elbowed in the side.

“Not the time to say that,” Batrire growled.

“He’s fine and maybe it is. That’s what I’m betting on actually,” Tanila stated. “As I said before, if I can draw her out, challenge her, it would give you a chance to go in and get Cordellia.”

Max nodded, still not happy with the idea of her being put into a fight he would have to stand by and just watch.

“Once she is safe, you know what I’m going to do.”

“I do… and I’m going to help you with it,” Tanila replied. “I should have done it long ago but for the right reasons. The tower taught me something recently and that… being… or whatever… Chromie was right. Our actions have consequences. Me not killing her back then kept me from turning into something I didn’t want to be. I won’t make that same choice this time because this world or any world doesn’t need someone like her in it.”

***

“I’ve never realized how beautiful everything looks from up here!”

Max squeezed twice, signaling he agreed.

“The trees look tiny as well!”

He chuckled as Tanila continued to yell, remembering how he felt the first time he could fly with his spell or ride on Rakonath’s neck.

“Just make sure to tell me where to go!”

She squeezed his hand twice and as he waited for her to inform him of the area she wanted to land, Max was amazed at how much of the forest was actually homes.

Small towns had villages located in or around trees. Farms spread out around larger trees, and Tanila had talked about families who lived in them.

Rivers and streams ran everywhere, carrying the important liquid to each town.

Larger cities had open spaces and sections with three to a dozen massive trees connected via bridges.

Lights could be seen below, and the pace of life beneath him seemed so slow.

All the stories I ever heard and the few pictures I saw that were painted don’t do this justice.

It is a shame that someone would risk all this by angering you. Tanila seems anxious. I can sense her hesitation. Just how dangerous is her father?

Max couldn’t help when his frown returned.

The discussion of Savantus’s powers was a problem. Not knowing what all the elven King could do meant walking into a situation blind. Even worse, knowing that her mother had skills she had never displayed made for two unknowns.

For a brief moment, he had seen the pain in her eyes as she talked about him.

Tanila’s eyes trembled the entire time she spoke and he could only imagine the home she had grown up in.

I can sense the turmoil inside you. Your friends are right, you often struggle to carry weights that aren’t yours to carry. Right now, all you need to do is be there for her. Even if she doesn’t recognize it right now, I’m certain in time Tanila will.

When did you get so smart? I mean, I know we talk about this all the time, but you amaze me more every day. Still I felt the pain you experienced when Aerthen said no.

I hoped she would say yes only because you asked me, and then told me you would ask her. I doubted she would come. Part of me wanted to believe she might come for you and me, but her reason is valid.

I remember the dream she shared about Seth Pendal and the two dragons he slew. It was scary, and I think I understood why she was anxious upon hearing the name you had hidden under.

What was that?

A low thrum came from Rakonath as they flew and Tanila glanced back at him.

Tapping his head, he smiled when she rolled her eyes.

“YET another conversation you keep hidden!”

Aerthen wasn’t sure if you were possibly ‘the’ Seth Pendal.

That’s silly. That happened centuries ago!

Is it? Who is to say that moving through time isn’t possible? What if you were that Seth Pendal and in the coming time found yourself in that moment, hiding behind a name you already knew and with the abilities you have? Surely you could defeat two dragons then.

Max erupted in laughter, having never even considered that possibility before.

I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do that right now, but that also makes me wonder how strong Seth Pendal was. Even Ockrim and Phaius mentioned that he was a thorn in their side. I wonder what it would take for a person to be like that.

Soon, you will be just like him, if not stronger. I believe you will save your friend and that the five of you will complete this quest you have set before yourselves. For now, focus on the plan Tanila has created. She is right. It makes sense to choose this path to avoid the needless deaths of innocents.

With his hand, he patted a silver scale and then squeezed Tanila, putting his lips against the back of her neck.

“I love you.”

“I know!”

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