Drewells976 posts
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Chapter 207 - Bargain
A/N: We all thought it was impossible, but here we are. An early publishing streak of a week.o_Ohttps://www.patreon.com/file?h=100868326&i=18196382--------You’ve been offered a bargain by the god of the Hidden Sanctuary, Zervathi: Free my vessel from the ancient shackles and receive wondrous rewards.Do you wish to accept or refuse the bargain? Be warned that a bargain is a binding pact, and you may suffer punishment for an infraction.What the f...
Chapter 206 – Digging Deeper
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100802552&i=18184609----------~Come.~Kai followed the ethereal whispers, he couldn’t tell how, but they were different from Hallowed Intuition. Indistinct voices called him forward. A vast ancestral presence at the edge of his consciousness reached out to him.~Come closer.~He didn’t realize he had climbed down the ladder into the chamber till a figure barred his path. He stopped half a step short of crashing int...
Chapter 205 - Spatial Anomaly
Author's notes: Another early day! How long will this strike last? Only the spirits might know.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100672382&i=18172165----------Droplets fell through the collar of his shirt, drawing icy lines down his back. Kai bit down a curse. The Republic couldn’t even provide the appropriate clothing for the job. The rope ladder swayed when he reached with his hand to dry his neck.“Don’t squirm. Are you trying to make us...
Chapter 204 - Fallout
Author's notes: I know, sorry for being so early. I take complete responsibility.I've been busy, hoping I won't crash and burn XD. Enjoy a 2.9k chapter.I also made a little edit from ‘Profession XP (General)’ to ‘Profession XP (Domain)’ to indicate the XP Kai gets from practicing his profession. I didn’t want ‘General’ to be confused with ‘General Skills’.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100605466&i=18172083-----------...
Chapter 203 - The Lesser Evil
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100442317&i=18143814---------Kai scratched his head in confusion. Improvisation masked his nervousness and the cold sweat down his back. He was happy to avoid a death duel with the wyrmling, though it peeved him to have revealed his ring for nothing.The beast lay in a widening pool of pale ichor, slitted eyes staring empty at the sky. It was two meters of gleaming pearl scales, its tail probably severed during the t...
Chapter 202 - Meddling Beasts
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100374921&i=18114331----------Why is there another one?He had heard a screech inside the tunnels, but he had blamed it on the spatial anomaly. In all of the reports he read, beasts always appeared alone. Did Seryne withhold information? Or was it the size of Kawei's ruins?Croak!The human-sized toad surveyed the scene with its protruding eyes, horizontal pupils looked unblinking in opposite directions. It swelled...
Chapter 201 - Run
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100250278&i=18080713--------Run. Run. Run.“Release my arm,” Valela demanded while Lou coolly Asked. “What’s going on? Why do we need to run?”This can’t be happening again.He stopped at an intersection of two corridors. Kai had lost count of the twists and turns they had taken to get here. Should he climb the nearest tower for an exit? It was slower to move in the dense vegetation outside.I should have ne...
Chapter 200 - Complicated
Author's notes: What better way to celebrate 200 chapters than with an early chappy?Thanks to everyone who has supported and enjoyed reading Elydes. Your support has completely hijacked my life (mostly for the better XD) and allowed me to bring my first story to life <3Cheers to 100 more chapters!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100175161&i=18080234--------It must be my lucky day.Not one but both his elusive friends wanted to talk with him. “...
Chapter 199 - Politics
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=100006717&i=18057354---------While Kai had never seen him in a dark-blue uniform, he would recognize that unreasonably large figure anywhere. As the barge rowed closer to shore, he became certain.Feeling the attention on him, Lou turned to the approaching boat and met his eyes. Distance hid his surprise right till he dropped the crate he was carrying. He hurried to pick it up and scurried away amidst the yells of so...
Chapter 198 - Best Scholar in Town
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99939802&i=18057194---------Aryanne went through the stacks of reports: geological surveys, mana readings, death counts, beasts’ autopsies, wild scholars’ theories. She had spread the documents on her desk, hoping to get some inspiration. How did they all connect?I should have gotten more feats. Why does she always have to be right…Every soldier made fun of Fate till they got stuck in an impossible job. Nothin...
Chapter 197 - Schemes and Plots
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99809146&i=17981061------------Crystal globes suffused the area in a soft light. The room was sparsely furnished with engraved alcoves and paintings that made it look fancy without taking up space. Crates stamped with the hawk sigil lay neatly piled in a corner.A woman in a blue and silver sailor uniform came to talk with Officer Makyn. Kai eavesdropped on the conversation till it was clear they were talking logisti...
Chapter 196 - Against Time
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99733781&i=17981399-----------Kai slumped his shoulders. “I’ve already signed your papers. I can reach my house and be back on my own.”“I don’t doubt that, but the streets are dangerous at night, and we can’t risk any unintentional leak of information on a mundane contract. I’ll see you on board.” Seryne vanished down a corridor with unhurried steps, likely enjoying how their extensive negotiations h...
Chapter 195 - Lemon Sorbet
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99551105&i=17927460---------Seryne leaned in, seeing through his act. Was it a truth-sensing ability, or did she notice contradictions in his answers? It might also be any number of strange professional skills.Fuck it! I’m so tired of this shit.He had played their game for years, tiptoeing around and playing dumb. Despite his efforts to mind his own business, he still ended up in an interrogation room. What was th...
Chapter 194 – Two Paths
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99473650&i=17920505----------Heart racing, panic twisted his guts. Kai suppressed the impulse to run. This was straight out of his worst nightmares, kidnapped by the Republic to be never seen again.It’s not the time for foolish ideas. I need to think about this rationally.Improvisation wrote surprise and a hint of fear on his face, he needed to stall without alerting them.From the way the two enforcers were eyeing...
To address something I saw in the comments
Hey everyone, I just wanted to address something from chapter 191 - Catching Up since I saw a few people discussing it in the comments.I wasn't hiding anything about Flynn, and tried to hint at this a few times. But there never was a time that made sense to say it because Kai is so young, Flynn has a lot of other things going on and was also very young until recently.As far as having a bi character goes, I saw people saying it's "shov...
Chapter 193 - The Discard
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99329957&i=17879232-----------Flynn's screams tore through the room, barely muffled by the piece of leather between his teeth. His eyes shot open, awake, but they did not seem to register anything he saw. Muscles tensed against the bonds keeping him tied to the bed, as he wanted to rip his arms off. His skin turned red, and his mana veins swelled like roots ready to burst.He didn’t curse, didn’t ask for help...
Chapter 192 – A Price for Everything
Author's notes: Hello, I'm back! Thank you for all the well-wishes <3I'm still not back 100%, but good enough to write ;)https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99257160&i=17870198----------Kai faltered, his fingers brushing the golden pommel. The oak door was engraved with growing plants and runes. Cloaking, sturdiness and polish enchantments, the complete package.Is this the right place?When he received word a healer at the House of Enlighte...
Chapter 191 - Catching Up
Author's Notes: Today was one of those days when my brain decided to go on strike. I've not been feeling too well in the last few days and today I officially got sick. I'll be taking tomorrow off to rest and be back on Monday.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=99017833&i=17808152----------The worst symptoms of the discard dulled to a mild hangover. Kai took a hot shower, forced down a meal and did some light stretching. He wouldn’t trus...
Chapter 190 - Past and Future
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=98865967&i=17783454-------------“Don’t be a sore loser.” Flynn brimmed with satisfaction. “I won fair and square.”“It’s not a victory if you knock us both out,” Kai grumbled and pulled away. He walked ahead on the beach, Higharbor rose in the distance beneath a cloudy sky.His defensive Water spell had made electricity course through both their bodies. Lightning was one of the trickiest elements to co...
Chapter 189 - Five Months
Author's Notes: 2.75k and a little timeskip. No worries, I'll reveal the affinities in this chapter.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=98781438&i=17773393-------------Relaxed in a comfy armchair, Kai smelled the sweet scent of coral flowers. The sun filtered through the matte windows, suffusing the hall in a warm light. Pictures of natural landscapes hung on the cream walls, and an unseen harpist played a tune in the background.He had to admi...
Chapter 188 - For a Few Silvers More
Author's Notes: 2,7k Finished a bit later than I expected. Yesterday I started taking my meds for pollen allergies and today I felt like a wet rag in mind and body XDhttps://www.patreon.com/file?h=98609205&i=17731057---------“How did your date go?” Flynn greeted him with an irritating cheery mood. He was practicing his evolved Throwing skill across the living room. The blades embedded with a thud into the wooden board he used as a target....
Chapter 187 - Stalker
Author's Notes: Another early chapter <3https://www.patreon.com/file?h=98539749&i=17724179---------Bidding goodbye to the Silver Edge, Kai and Flynn stepped on the ivory docks. The shuffle of people and voices washed over them. No matter the place or the hour, silence and privacy were foreign concepts in Higharbor.I already miss Sylspring peace and quiet.Goods and news from all over the archipelago and the mainland flowed through the capital,...
Chapter 186 – Greedy Merfolk
Author's notes: Surprise! Here are 2.85k!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=98410268&i=17711480---------Under the disapproving gaze of old Alfred, Kai knocked twice before walking into a different study on the upper floor. The room was gaudy and welcoming. Lacquered furniture carved from expensive wood, blue curtains woven with silver threads and incredible lifelike paintings. On the desk, a shimmering crystal lotus was used like a paperweight.Re...
Chapter 185 - Potential Leads
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=98350336&i=17676584-----------“It’s just a little scratch, stop being such a baby.” Kai scowled under Flynn’s weight, careful not to trip in the underbrush of Veeryd. “We’ll have the whole jungle after us if you don’t lower your voice.”“I got bit by a fucking drake! I want to see you shrug that off.” Flynn leaned heavier against him, limping over a broken branch. “That stupid lizard almost chom...
Chapter 184 - Surprises
Author's notes: Well, today I officially got a year closer to my death, Yay! Also, the chapter didn't end up being that short after all XDIn other news, my publisher (Aethon Books) has also informed me that Book 1 of Elydes (A New Dawn) will be published on Amazon in e-book format on June 11. Don't yet have a confirmed date for paperback and Audiobook, though they usually try to keep them together.PDF: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=9...
Chapter 183 - Oh Oh Oh!
Author's notes: 3.1k words. These chapters just seem to be getting longer.Tomorrow will probably be a bit shorter since it's my birthday : Phttps://www.patreon.com/file?h=98116995&i=17640317--------“Why don’t you close the door and sit?” Reishi put down the package and massaged his scaly temples.Huh… I let myself get carried away.Kai took a seat with a sliver of guilt. “Thank you for the present. What did you get me?” He picke...
Chapter 182 - Best Birthday Ever
Author's Notes: 2,9k <3Enjoy!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97987010&i=17604216-----------“I told you it's a boy,” Alana looked lovey-dovey at Moui, who embraced her from behind. “I can just feel it.”The hunter gave a patient smile, crossing his hands with hers. “I’ll be happy with whatever they are, but I think it’s a girl.”Kai was frozen in shock, and he wasn’t the only one. Kea watched their mom with comically wide ey...
Chapter 181 - Welcome Home
Author's notes: 2,75k! Happy Monday!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97917809&i=17603515---------Kai first glimpsed the quaint wooden taverns of the docks with their bright and suggestive signs. The best place for sailors and locals alike to get drunk. Further up, the pastel houses grew in rows, rarely rising more than two storeys high.Everything looks so tiny and picturesque after staying in Higharbor.From the prow of the Silver Edge, he could...
Chapter 180 - Calculated Risks
Author's notes: I swear I tried to finish sooner, but this chapter ended up being 2,9k XDHope you enjoy the long chappie! <3https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97738726&i=17560164---------Flynn leaned on the railing near the prow of the ship. The wind blew back his hair and fluttered in his ears, the taste of salt on his lips. The Silver Edge cut through the waves so smoothly it seemed to glide.He had always found being trapped on cramped vessels ...
Chapter 179 - Progress
Author's notes: I changed how the skill specializations are presented a bit, let me know what you think. I might edit a few of the recent ones, it doesn't change the meaning, just how they are described.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97668728&i=17552717-----------With an objective in mind, Kai focused on the skills close to the next advancement. Making use of the attributes he gained from Mana Child, he stretched his abilities in inventiv...
