The Runic Artist Chapter 6: Chapter 324 - Carved in Stone

Read chapter 6 of The Runic Artist by Ellake on NovelPedia.

Chapter 324 - Carved in Stone Nate studied the humanoid that Ankh had pulled from the fractured space surrounding them. At first the creature, with skin as dark as the night, had squirmed in a futile attempt to escape. The moment it had realised the futility it had gone limp. The entities face had two slits for a nose and eyes that shone like stars, with elongated arms and legs that ended in three toes or fingers respectively. From the creature's eyes, Nate could sense a Skill along with a Concept. The most pervasive Concept leaking off of the creature was that of the Void. The space between. Divine Energy dripped into Nate as he catalogued it, and though it got a few glances from those around him, it was mostly ignored. The Concept emitting from the prisoners eyes was Parting. An interesting mix in Nate’s eyes as Void, Parting, and Space were likely how the creature managed to spy on them while occupying a separate layer of space. Nate guessed there was likely one more Concept in the creature's Skillsets that made it difficult to detect. Apparently not so difficult for Ankh’aris though. “How did you notice it?” asked Nate curiously. “It was using a form of Erosion to thin the layers of space so it could watch,” answered Ankh in his deep baritone before putting his car sized head closer to the creature and asking a question that was clearly a demand. “Who or what are you?” “I can answer that,” interjected Crastor. “That would be Vicoli, Disciple of the Void and Herald of the Wanderer.” Nate had suspected the being was related to Arikanvil given the nature of the Vicoli’s powers and the pressure of Greater Divinity it gave off in his Conceptual Sight . Still, he’d hoped it wasn’t the case. If Arikanvil trusted him this little, then Vicoli could have been following them ever since they left Galle. Just how much had he seen or heard? And what had he reported back to Arikanvil? “Is that true? Do you serve that little runt Arikanvil?” asked Ankh’aris. Everyone else had stopped to listen and watch. Kiri was still next to Nate while Gwen knelt beside Fili who hadn’t gotten up from the ground yet, with Jak kneeling next to her. Wulfgar had somehow moved even more behind Grommir’s shield, while Crastor had approached to stand on Grommir’s other side. Even Frick and Luci had paused their play fighting to listen in. “Yes,” replied Vicoli, its voice surprisingly musical. “Willingly?” asked Crastor. Vicoli paused to glance with starlit eyes at Ankh. When the ancient dragon didn’t say anything Vicoli answered. “Bound by Reciprocity.” “Are you able to tell us your purpose here?” continued Crastor, the Grand Strategist clearly ferreting out the relevant information. “Yes. Sent to watch over the Second Evolutions and report back if there were issues.” “Have you reported anything back to The Wanderer?” Vicoli shook its head. “Nothing yet.” Grommir looked confused but Crastor’s lips twisted into a smirk that lit up the orcs face. “Why is that? You would think their successes in the World Reaping alone might warrant a report.” “Not an issue. Success is a good thing. Issue is a bad thing. No bad things, no reports.” Ankh snorted in amusement before lowering Vicoli to the ground. “So, you do not like your master?” mused Ankh’aris. Though Vicoli’s face was alien in nature, Nate could see clear signs of displeasure at the mention of the word ‘master.’ “He seeks to unchain himself from the ties that bind him, yet thinks nothing of binding others to his purpose. Hypocrisy. Reciprocity demands balance, not loyalty. If he dies, I am free.” The words were simple but the message was clear enough. Vicoli held no allegiance to Arikanvil. If anything, it sounded like Vicoli hated his ‘master.’ “An individual bound against its will invariably turns on the one who holds its chain.” Crastor's words mirrored Nate's own feelings on the matter. “Do you know what The Wanderer seeks?” asked Crastor. “Yes. Three artifacts. The artist holds one of them.” “Do you know w