{"id":202,"date":"2021-08-16T17:58:42","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T21:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=202"},"modified":"2021-08-16T18:00:17","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T22:00:17","slug":"chapter-14","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 014: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 14:<\/strong> Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A bright light filled the center of the wood-paneled room. Onin shaded his eyes and took a step inside. \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOnin and Kasai. You have returned.\u201d Ambassador Miton\u2019s voice came from the light. She sounded puzzled. The ball of light condensed somewhat and floated closer. \u201cWhat is your purpose for coming here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe heard you might be in trouble,\u201d Onin shielded his eyes and looking at the ball of light. \u201cYou cut funding to ABG, and the Natas are multiplying and running around loose all over Rogim and Caradan. We came back to find out what\u2019s going on and to see if we could help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The ball of light\u2014which Onin thought was the Ambassador\u2019s true form, or at least as close as a gesaran could perceive it\u2014changed color to a soft blue. Tiny flashes sparkled all throughout it. Finally, the Ambassador spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe never considered asking gesarans for help. Your gifts are for your own protection, not our fight. Yet since the Natas have possessed gesarans, they could be helpful in the current situation. Please come in, and we will discuss this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The cloud of light floated farther inside and passed through the door on the far wall. Cerina leaned in close to Onin and Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She lowered her eyes and looked contrite. \u201cSorry. I didn\u2019t believe what you said about the Matari.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled faintly. \u201cThat\u2019s okay. I wasn\u2019t quite sure it wasn\u2019t all a dream myself, for a while there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin tugged at Kasai\u2019s hand. \u201cLet\u2019s go. We don\u2019t want to keep them waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, what\u2019s behind the door?\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf it\u2019s the same as last time, it should be a conference room. There was food last time.\u201d Onin glanced over his shoulder at Tannin. \u201cI\u2019m not sure if there will be any or not now, so don\u2019t get your hopes up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin pushed the door open. The large table in the center of the room was now covered in charts, maps, and stacks of paper. Ambassador Miton, in her feline-ish form sat at the head of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPlease, come in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and the others filed in and sat along the left side of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe Natas captured one of us.\u201d Ambassador Miton slid a map over to them. \u201cThis is the area she is being held in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey\u2014\u201d Tannin pulled the map over and tapped a finger on in. \u201c\u2014isn\u2019t this the same spot where they\u2014 ah\u2014 \u2018captured,\u2019 Shanay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin leaned over to get a better look. Narrow pass through the mountains, about an hour or so northwest of the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLooks like the same spot to me. Or, at least, very close to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShanay?\u201d Ambassador Miton looked back and forth between Onin and Kasai. \u201cWho is Shanay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cA gesaran giftling captured by the Natas.\u201d Onin looked down at his feet. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get there in time to rescue her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He and Kasai quickly filled the Ambassador in on their adventures in the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMore Natas.\u201d Ambassador Miton lowered her head and her ears drooped. \u201cThis is troubling. And dangerous. We can combat the Natas in their natural state with little difficulty. It is when they take a vessel in the physical world that they are truly dangerous. We can only fight them then with great difficulty and much loss of life. That is how they defeated us on our homeworld.\u201d She looked up. \u201cBut that is a story for another time. Now, we need to rescue the Matari that the Natas have captured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcuse me, but how did they capture a Matari?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIn much the same manner as they captured your friend Shanay, only the reverse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t follow.\u201d Tannin tilted his head to the side. \u201cThey un-possessed someone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ambassador Miton lowered one ear. \u201cNo. One of the gesarans that willingly follows the Natas volunteered to become a container. They then use the same ceremony that allows a Natas to enter a gesaran, only with a different relic to force a Matari into a willing gesaran host.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho in their right mind would volunteer for that?\u201d Cerina shuddered and crossed her arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere is much about both the Natas and gesaran behavior that we do not understand,\u201d the Ambassador said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2014\u201d Onin pulled the map away from Tannin. \u201cWe\u2019re going to rescue the Matari that\u2019s trapped inside a gesaran body, get them away from the Natas, and then what? Saija says they\u2019re really hard to get out of a body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe will be able to free our kind from the physical prison. The Natas are only hard to remove because they do not want to leave,\u201d the Ambassador said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCan you remove the Natas from Shanay?\u201d Kasai asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ambassador Miton looked away from the table. \u201cIt is possible. But much more difficult. The trapped Matari is your first priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin drummed his fingers on the table. He understood why the Matari would want to free their captive first, but he was concerned that they didn\u2019t seem to care about Shanay. Was she a lost cause? In any case, he and the others needed to work with the Matari, or they wouldn\u2019t be able to do anything. He glanced over at Kasai, then back to the Ambassador. \u201cPrioritize the hostage that we have the highest chance of safely removing. Got it. Well, then\u2014\u201d Onin stood and pushed his chair back. \u201cLet\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ambassador Miton lead them outside and down a short red path that ended at the wall. She pushed a block, and a stone slid aside revealing a small tunnel. Onin bent over and entered the tunnel. Kasai was behind him, then Saija. Cerina followed her, and Tannin brought up the rear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, but it was probably only about a hundred yards or so. Eventually, Onin saw a light, and soon he stepped outside into brisk air. Pine trees surrounded the exit of the tunnel, and grey mountains filled the horizon all around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shivered. The mountains were colder than he remembered. Onin generated a servitor and put it in sentry mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnyone have any idea where we are?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin came out of the tunnel and rose to a standing position. His back cracked audibly as he straightened out. \u201cThought that\u2019d never end. Wait\u2014\u201d Tannin looked around. \u201cWhere are we? This is nowhere near the Matari Enclave\u2014is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t think so. We seem to be somewhere around where we fought the Natas,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo how do we find the captured Matari in this mess?\u201d Cerina waved a hand to indicate the entire mountain range. \u201cShe could be anywhere, and we have no idea what she even looks like!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCat-like.\u201d Tannin paused and put a finger to his bottom lip. \u201cOr, some kinda\u2026 shadow-ish thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina smacked him upside the back of the head. \u201cWeren\u2019t you paying attention? The Natas forced her into gesaran form. She could look like anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Tannin rubbed the back of his head. \u201cThat could be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYa think?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe should start by trying to locate the Natas. After we find them, we look for someone they\u2019re holding prisoner,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. It should either be the Matari or, worst-case, some gesarans they\u2019re going to turn into vessels. Either way they have to be freed,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut where do we start looking?\u201d Cerina waved a hand at the mountains. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of area to cover here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked up at the servitor that floated above them. He sent it a mental command to look for other people. The servitor blinked then zoomed up and out of sight. He held out his hands and generated two infrared servitors. They took off in opposite directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019ll start with that. They\u2019ll let me know if they find anything. In the meantime, we hike around and see if we can find signs of a camp, or something,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shrugged. \u201cWorks for me. Lead on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Three hours later they had found precisely nothing. No footprints, no campfires, and no caves that looked occupied. The servitors that Onin had sent out hadn\u2019t returned yet either. They should\u2019ve found at least an animal or something by now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2014\u201d Tannin plopped down and leaned up against a tree. \u201cHow about a supper break?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow about we set up camp for the night?\u201d Cerina wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. \u201cIt\u2019s getting colder, and dark too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood point.\u201d Onin leaned against a rock wall and glanced around. \u201cDoes everyone think this is a good spot?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai, Tannin, and Cerina all nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe could just portal back to dorms for the night,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe could.\u201d Onin looked over the mountains. \u201cBut if we come back tomorrow and portal into an ambush, you\u2019d have less energy to fight with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai took a step closer to him. \u201cWhat if the Natas attack us during the night?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFirst\u2014\u201d Onin held up a finger. \u201c\u2014we don\u2019t know that they\u2019re here. Second, we\u2019re trying to draw them out anyway, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve been hanging around Tannin too much.\u201d Cerina pinched the bridge of her nose. \u201cThis plan is stupid, but effective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and Tannin each pulled a tent out of their backpacks. In a few minutes they were set up. By the time they had finished staking them down, Kasai and Saija had a fire going and rations cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin woke to something shaking the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWake up, sleepyheads!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija\u2019s voice came from outside the tent. Onin groaned. How could it be morning already? He quickly changed clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m coming, I\u2019m coming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat about Tannin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Tannin. He was on his back with his arms spread out above his head, and he was snoring. Onin shook his head and climbed out of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt might be easier to have a servitor carry him around until about noon or so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Saija poked her head into the tent. \u201cWow, he\u2019s really out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Onin sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija\u2019s eyes glinted bright pink. \u201cI wonder if he\u2019d wake up if I went and tickled him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI wouldn\u2019t. He\u2019s not really a morning person. I\u2019m serious about that servitor,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh.\u201d Saija shrugged. \u201cOh well. Kasai and Cerina almost have breakfast ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">By the time everyone else had finished eating Tannin had managed to crawl out of the tent. His hair pointed in every direction, and his eyes were squeezed shut. He shuffled over and plopped down in front of the fire. Onin and Kasai got the tents folded and packed up and they started off up the ravine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShould we have heard back from the servitors yet?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin concentrated on their locations. The regular one was still up in the clouds watching. It hadn\u2019t seen anything yet. The infrared ones were skimming along at high speed at tree level running a search pattern across the entire mountain range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey haven\u2019t found anything yet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThen, what\u2019s the point of hiking through the mountains?\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe servitors aren\u2019t sentient.\u201d Onin frowned. \u201cThey look for certain things and can miss some stuff that might seem obvious to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted, but she didn\u2019t argue further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">For the next hour they wandered through the mountains, checking caves and overhangs for any sign of activity. Tannin found a single footprint, but not much else. They couldn\u2019t even find the cave they had fought Shanay in front of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin trudged up the next ridge and stopped at the sound of a low hum from up ahead. He took a step backwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDid you hear that?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHear what?\u201d Cerina edged up to the crest and poked her head over for a second before she rejoined the others. Her eyes were wide. \u201cWow, there\u2019s people down there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">One of the infrared servitors zipped over the hill and hovered above Onin. He looked up at it as it relayed information to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere\u2019s a large heat source in a cave down there. Possibly about six to ten more people,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, what do we do?\u201d Tannin cracked his knuckles. \u201cRush in, beat everyone up, and rescue the Matari?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shook her head. \u201cWe don\u2019t even know if the Matari captive is here. Besides, if Shanay and that ice giftling are here, the two of them can probably beat us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, what, we cower in the corner?\u201d Tannin crossed his arms over his chest. \u201cFighting them is a better plan than just sitting here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m sending the IR servitor in. I\u2019ll see if I can find anything else,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He linked with the servitor and directed it over the ridge. Three people stood next to a wall of rock. One of them was Shanay. The other two were dressed in dark cloaks. Onin moved the servitor down to rest on the rocky ground. One of the cloaked figures turned to face the rock wall. Another cloaked figure emerged from between the rocks. The three of them apparently had a short conversation, then turned and walked down a trail leading farther into the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin unlinked from the servitor and instructed it to follow them at a high altitude. \u201cThree of them just left, and it looks like there\u2019s a hidden cave. No one\u2019s guarding the entrance. Let\u2019s go check it out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They climbed over the ridge and down the other side to stare at the rock wall. Onin pointed at the cave entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow, that blends right in.\u201d Saija took a step to the right, and then back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLet\u2019s go in.\u201d Tannin poked his head in and looked around. \u201cLooks clear so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin generated a servitor for light, and they made their way inside, looking around for anyone. A few feet in, the cave made a sharp turn, and they were in total darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey. Is it just me, or are the walls a, uh, familiar, shade of red?\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shuddered. Onin stretched out a finger to rub at the colorant but thought better of it and put his hands in his pockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t want to know.\u201d Saija grimaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. Probably best if we don\u2019t.\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Several dozen turns later Onin had no idea what direction they were facing or how far down they\u2019d gone. Hopefully, the servitor would be able to lead them back out. He started to ask if anyone else was as turned around as he was when he heard a cough from up ahead. He held up his hand and crept forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Two people sat in front of a fire in a large cavern. Beyond the fire was a large wooden cage. The cage appeared to be empty. After a moment some rags in the corner moved. They shifted again, and a hand stuck out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin backed up and reported what he\u2019d seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe Matari or another potential vessel?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEither way, we have to rescue them.\u201d Saija glanced at the cavern and took a deep breath. \u201cWe can\u2019t let them do that to anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAgreed. But what about the two in there?\u201d Onin frowned and glanced over his shoulder. \u201cIf they\u2019re normal gesarans, not a problem. Even if they\u2019re giftlings, we could take them. But, if they\u2019re Natas, we might be in trouble. We barely defended ourselves against one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI have an idea.\u201d Cerina stood and took a step toward the cavern. \u201cIf this doesn\u2019t work, get ready to fight, run, or both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She took a deep breath and opened her mouth. Onin couldn\u2019t hear anything, but he felt a little queasy. The two people in the cavern shook their heads, then held their stomachs. They stood and stumbled off to the side of the cave, where they fell over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Tannin worked his jaw and held his stomach. \u201cThat felt like bad mushrooms must feel like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAgain with the mush\u2014\u201d Cerina pinched the bridge of her nose. \u201cYou know what, I\u2019m not gonna go there. I used low frequency sound to knock them out. It won\u2019t last long. Let\u2019s grab whoever\u2019s in the cage and get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood plan.\u201d Onin sprinted into the cavern. \u201cWe can sort it out later. Kasai, can you smash this cage open? Tannin take a defensive position. Saija, cover our rears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin and Saija nodded. Kasai raised her hand. The front of the cage ripped off and flew over into the far wall. Onin scooped up the person inside, threw him or her over his shoulder, and ran for the outside. The person didn\u2019t struggle, and they were awfully light. What had the Natas done to them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Five turns later he heard shouting from behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLet\u2019s move!\u201d he yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They followed the servitor through all sorts of turns and side-paths that Onin didn\u2019t remember from the way in and finally emerged into daylight. The regular servitor that had been on watch in the clouds streaked down and blinked at Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIncoming!\u201d Onin held up his hand and generated two more servitors. \u201cShanay and the other two are on the way back, let\u2019s get out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin was right behind him as he ran up the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait!\u201d Saija yelled. \u201cI can\u2026 portal\u2026 us\u2026 out of here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin skidded to a stop. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPortal.\u201d Saija sucked in air in big gasping gulps. \u201cI can portal us out. If I catch my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou should keep it on a leash,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija smacked him. She took another shaky breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHurry!\u201d Cerina pointed to the hill. \u201cThey\u2019re almost on us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija held up a hand and opened a shadow portal. Onin grabbed Kasai\u2019s hand and leapt through.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin emerged into a patch of thick fog. There was a large wall a few feet to right. He couldn\u2019t see anything else through the fog. Moments later Cerina, Tannin, and Saija fell through the portal, and it winked closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCan they follow us?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shook her head from where she laid sprawled out on the ground. She was still breathing heavy. That couldn\u2019t be good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Onin knelt down next to her and generated a servitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 fine,\u201d Saija said between gasps. \u201cIt just took a lot of energy to make a portal and all, and I was out of breath from running up that hill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin waved the servitor over. It ran a healing beam over Saija. \u201cWhere are we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd can the Natas find us here?\u201d Cerina added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija pointed to the wall while she kept sucking in air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait\u2026\u201d Kasai ran a hand over the wall and turned back to Saija. \u201cThis is the wall to the Matari compound, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija nodded. \u201cYeah, we should be on the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShrooms!\u201d Tannin pointed to something behind Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned around. There was an open drawbridge to castle that he could\u2019ve sworn wasn\u2019t there a moment ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIdiot.\u201d Cerina glared at Tannin. \u201cFor the last time, there\u2019s no mushrooms involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. He turned and carried the rescued\u2014hopefully Matari\u2014prisoner inside the castle. Ambassador Miton met them just inside the door. She took the rescued prisoner and gently laid her on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cZia? Are you well?\u201d the Ambassador asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI will live.\u201d Zia coughed and blinked her eyes a few times. \u201cThe host is confused and extremely frightened\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019ll get you to recovery right away,\u201d the Ambassador said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo,\u201d Zia grabbed her arm. \u201cI have important news that can\u2019t wait. The Natas are constructing a gate in the land to the south.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ambassador Miton\u2019s eyes grew wide. \u201cNot\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, they seek to bring the dragons here.\u201d Zia coughed and wiped at her face. \u201cTheir plan is to farm this planet for hosts to use to conquer the rest of the galaxy. You must hurry, the gate is nearly completed!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-13\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"199\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> |<a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-15\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"206\"> Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 14: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger A bright light filled the center of the wood-paneled room. Onin shaded his eyes and took a step inside.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-202","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":229,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202\/revisions\/229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}