{"id":245,"date":"2021-08-31T13:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T17:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=245"},"modified":"2021-09-06T13:10:39","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T17:10:39","slug":"chapter-20","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 020: Let&#8217;s Rock!"},"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 20:<\/strong> Let&#8217;s Rock!<\/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\">Onin drummed his fingers on the restaurant table. He looked over his left shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ve redirected my servitors that are already out searching for the Natas to look in the vicinity of the dragon\u2019s landing zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShouldn\u2019t we go?\u201d Kasai twirled her hair around her finger and looked back and forth between Onin and Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Ryogin took a deep breath, sighed, and sat back down in his chair. \u201cIt\u2019ll be a few days before it lands, and we\u2019ll need our strength. Might as well finish our dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis nodded but pulled out her phone and tapped away at it furiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin glanced over at her and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry.\u201d Amaryllis put her phone back in her pocket. \u201cMessaging some old friends who owe me a few favors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The rest of dinner was rather rushed. The fish was delectable, but Onin kept looking out the window. Ryogin had said they had a few days but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">After they\u2019d finished eating Onin followed Ryogin and Amaryllis out of the restaurant. Kasai reached out and took his hand. Onin\u2019s skin tingled at her touch. He squeezed her hand and smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis stopped a dozen yards away from the restaurant and raise her right hand straight up into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked over at Onin and raised an eyebrow. He shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, are you hailing a taxi?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis covered her mouth with her left hand and giggled. \u201cIn a manner of speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Something flew over Onin\u2019s head. He ducked and whirled around. Amaryllis grabbed her staff out of the air, twirled it around, and hopped up to sit on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m off to collect on a few favors.\u201d Amaryllis adjusted her position. \u201cI\u2019ll be back\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait!\u201d Kasai darted forward and grabbed her hand. \u201cWould it help if I shared my gift with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis slid off her staff and spun it upright. \u201cIt would.\u201d She looked Kasai in the eyes and cocked an ear halfway back. \u201cAre you sure you really want to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Kasai took a deep breath and stepped closer to Amaryllis. \u201cYou said there really isn\u2019t a downside, and if it would help us fight the Natas and all stay alive\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai wiped a tear from her eyes. Onin took a step forward and rested a hand on her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMy entire life, I\u2019ve been alone, except for the monks, until I came to ABG.\u201d Kasai took Onin\u2019s hand and smiled at him. \u201cNow I have friends that care about me, and that I care about. I don\u2019t want to lose any of you, and I haven\u2019t contributed much so far, so yes, I do want to share my gift to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis pulled Kasai into a hug. After a moment, she stepped back and held her staff between them. \u201cVery well. Place your hand on my staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai grasped Amaryllis\u2019 staff. \u201cOkay, now what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cJust say that you willingly share your gift with me.\u201d Amaryllis cocked an ear to the side. \u201cTechnically you don\u2019t have to say anything, but I\u2019ve found that saying it aloud helps most people actually think and feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI willingly share the gifts Ard gave me with Amaryllis,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Half a second later she swayed and released the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin jumped forward and caught her. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Kasai yawned and leaned back against Onin. \u201cJust tired, like I\u2019ve been working out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Amaryllis. She took several deep breaths, and her chest heaved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d She looked over at Kasai. \u201cSuch power. I think I\u2019ll only be able to use about one to five percent of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry.\u201d Kasai hung her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, don\u2019t be sorry.\u201d Amaryllis gave her a quick side-hug. \u201cOne percent of your power is more than enough. Ryogin-sama is an S-class, and his power is like a vast ocean. Yours is like an entire star. I couldn\u2019t possibly hope to tap into all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2014\u201d Onin dug his heel in the dirt. \u201cDo you borrow power from her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo. I make a copy of a person\u2019s gift, and they have to willingly allow me to do so.\u201d Amaryllis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Onin looked down at Kasai. She yawned, closed her eyes, and rested her head on his shoulder. What would happen to her if the Natas got ahold of her? He looked up at Amaryllis and squared his shoulders. \u201cI don\u2019t really understand, and I haven\u2019t known you for that long, but if Kasai trusts you, so do I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Amaryllis cocked her head to the side. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes. I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cVery well.\u201d Amaryllis held out her staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin glanced down at Kasai, took a deep breath, and grasped Amaryllis staff below her hand. \u201cI willingly share my gift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin felt a surge of energy flow up through him, sort of like when he was preparing to generate a large servitor, and out into the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. \u201cMmm! Much like Ryogin-sama\u2019s power.\u201d She hopped back up on her staff and looked Onin in the eyes. \u201cI promise I\u2019ll use this power to help protect Kasai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She turned and flew up into the night sky.<\/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\">The next morning Onin joined the others in Ryogin\u2019s office. Amaryllis was absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey\u2014\u201d Onin leaned in toward Kasai. \u201cAmaryllis isn\u2019t back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shook her head. Hopefully Amaryllis was okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin straightened up as Ryogin stood and cleared his throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis\u2014\u201d Ryogin pointed to a dot on the map that was south-east of their current location. \u201cIs an abandoned rubber factory just outside of the small town of Ainz, about 200 miles away. The dragon is expected to land there tomorrow around noon. My guess is that the Natas are working with the dragon, so we expect resistance from them as well. Onin, have your servitors found anything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait.\u201d Tannin raised his hand. \u201cA rubber factory? What kind of rubb\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNothing yet.\u201d Onin stepped in front of Tannin. \u201cThe factory is there, and there\u2019s signs of it being recently occupied, such as crates all over the place, trash cans full of empty wrappers, recent heat signatures, and such. My servitors haven\u2019t spotted any people yet, but they just got to the location an hour ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, that gives us some time.\u201d Ryogin picked up a few papers and handed them to Saija. \u201cThis is the layout of the factory, and the surrounding area. There\u2019s one for each of you. If we\u2019re familiar with the area and the layout, that might give us an advantage, or at least neutralize theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija took a sheet and passed the papers to Cerina, who handed them to Tannin. Onin grabbed a sheet from Tannin. Kasai leaned in to look at the map, and her shoulder pressed into Onin\u2019s chest. Even her shoulder was soft\u2014 Onin blinked and focused on the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The factory was only about a half a mile south of the town \u2014more like village\u2014 of Ainz. Onin flipped the sheet over. A map of the factory was on the back. There was one large building, and about a dozen outbuildings. The main building was laid out like a maze; office space, warehousing, and production floor. If the factory equipment was still there, it\u2019d give the enemy dozens of places to hole up in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAw, sweet!\u201d Tannin waved his map in Onin\u2019s face. \u201cThey\u2019ve got a Sandwich Masters!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina smacked the back of his head. \u201cReally, that\u2019s what your focusing on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe gotta eat, don\u2019t we?\u201d Tannin looked over to Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, leave me outta this!\u201d She held up both hands. \u201cI\u2019m eating before we go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnyway\u2014\u201d Ryogin turned back to the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door to the office opened. Amaryllis stumbled in and collapsed into one of the chairs. Ryogin\u2019s eyebrows shot up as he looked at her. He jumped to his feet and retrieved a glass of dark liquid from the fridge. Ryogin handed the glass to Amaryllis, and put his arm around her shoulders. Onin\u2019s stomach twisted at the bitter herbal smell. Amaryllis held her nose with one hand and downed the contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYuck.\u201d Amaryllis stood up and handed the glass back to Ryogin. \u201cThanks, I needed that.\u201d She made a face. \u201cDidn\u2019t want it but needed it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI take it your mission was successful?\u201d Ryogin set the glass on top of the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Amaryllis covered a yawn with her hand. \u201cEveryone saw the urgency of the situation and was willing to assist. As expected, one particular mentor put me through some rather grueling training.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin cursed under his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t be too hard on him.\u201d Amaryllis placed her palm on Ryogin\u2019s arm. \u201cIt might just keep us alive.\u201d She turned to Kasai. \u201cAnd thank you, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blushed and twirled her hair with her finger. \u201cI didn\u2019t do much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut you did.\u201d Amaryllis pulled her into a quick side-hug. \u201cI ran out of energy hours ago. Without your generosity, I\u2019d be unconscious right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs that safe?\u201d Ryogin leaned over and looked Amaryllis in the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think so.\u201d Amaryllis shrugged. \u201cI can only access about one percent of her gift, and even that feels like a limitless supply of energy.\u201d She yawned again. \u201cIf you\u2019d like my assistance, I\u2019d suggest we do that now so I can catch a quick nap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, of course.\u201d Ryogin took a step back. \u201cTannin, Cerina, and Kasai, we have some small items for you that might help you fight the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFigures he\u2019d get more crap,\u201d Cerina whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over his left shoulder at Cerina. Tannin and Saija were on the other side of Ryogin. No one else had heard her. He sighed. Probably best to just let it go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis held her staff in front of her. Ryogin placed one hand on her shoulder, and the other on the staff. Amaryllis gripped her staff with both hands, and braced herself. \u201cMulti-class: Artifice, full uplink; Dragonfire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A white crackling disc swirled out from the staff with a bang, and shoved her back up against Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin pointed to the disc. \u201cWasn\u2019t that smaller last time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt was.\u201d Amaryllis adjusted her grip on the staff. \u201cThis time I\u2019m using dragonfire to power Artifice, instead of my own energy. Also, Ryogin-sama is helping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin stepped forward and placed both of his palms flat against the white disc. When he pulled them away a bundle of black fabric emerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere.\u201d Ryogin handled the bundle to Tannin. \u201cIt\u2019s a shirt and pants made from a cotton and carbon nanotube blend. It should be stronger than armor after you reinforce it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He reached out to portal again, and something wooden started to emerge. Ryogin pulled an electric guitar from the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d Tannin leaned in close to Onin and lowered his voice. \u201cI did have a mushroom omelet for breakfast. Did he just pull out a guitar when we\u2019re getting ready for battle?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shrugged. It was a guitar, and it was an odd choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere.\u201d Ryogin handed the guitar to Cerina. \u201cYou do know how to play, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina stared at him, mouth agape, as she took the guitar. She looked down at it, then back up to Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, do you know how to play this?\u201d Ryogin took a half-step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYessss.\u201d Cerina raised an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side. \u201cUm, is now the best time, though?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt has a sound-wave generator built-in.\u201d Ryogin pointed to the body of the guitar. \u201cYou can use it to generate various tones, including infra- and ultra-sonic notes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Cerina stared at him with a neutral expression on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere.\u201d Ryogin reached behind him and pulled a book out of the portal. \u201cRead this. It\u2019ll give you all sorts of ideas on how to use it in combat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHa!\u201d Tannin pointed at her. \u201cYou got homework!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina narrowed her eyes, slung the strap of the guitar around her neck, and struck a low note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin winced. The sound buzzed through him and he saw double for half a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOw!\u201d Tannin took a step backward and clutched at his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh yeah.\u201d Cerina ran her left hand down the neck of the guitar. \u201cThis will do nicely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeesh!\u201d Saija dug at her ear with her pinky finger. \u201cWarn a person next time, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMoving on\u2014\u201d Ryogin rubbed at the base of his neck. \u201cAs I said, it looks like the dragon should arrive around noon tomorrow, so you should all study the factory layout, and get plenty of food and sleep.\u201d He snapped his fingers. \u201cOh, I almost forgot, Kasai, I have something for you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin reached for the portal and pulled out a small vial. As soon as it cleared the swirling white mist, the portal snapped shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me&#8230;\u201d Amaryllis yawned, then curtsied and left the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin handed the vial to Kasai. Onin leaned in for a closer look. The vial contained a small white-ish gray pill suspended in a milky liquid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Kasai asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin leaned over her other shoulder. \u201cLooks like an antacid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rolled his eyes and looked over to Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s a nano re-sequencer programmed with an RNA strand that will\u2014\u201d Ryogin looked around at everyone. \u201cOkay, from the blank faces, you didn\u2019t get any of that. It\u2019s a magic pill that will balance out what\u2019s messed up in your DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Kasai turned the vial over in her fingers. \u201cBut what will it do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell\u2014\u201d Ryogin scratched the back of his neck. \u201cIt should let you use your dragon abilities more easily. I and several other departments here at the university, along with ABG, have studied your genetic scan and the theory is that a few imperfections are mostly responsible for your difficulties transforming. We\u2019ve been working on this since we scanned your DNA a few days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait\u2014\u201d Kasai took Onin\u2019s hand and stepped closer to him. \u201cYou mean my, uh, issues with Onryo aren\u2019t the only problem?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s the theory. That pill should correct the genetic issues. The rest is up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stared down at the vial, the corner of her mouth pulled to one side. \u201cAre there any side effects?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s hard to say with blended species. There really isn\u2019t a standard. Especially when the species are as different as Gesaran and dragon. It also doesn\u2019t help that we know practically nothing about dragon biology.\u201d He paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019d expect a few differences though. In Amaryllis\u2019 case, her ears and tail grew larger and more pronounced. Oh, it might knock you out for a few hours as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Kasai\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cPerhaps later, then.\u201d She slipped the vial into her pocket. \u201cWell, let\u2019s study that map.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cRight.\u201d Onin led the way out of Ryogin\u2019s office, still holding her hand.<\/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 stepped out of the bathroom after his shower and almost dropped his towel. Tannin was sitting on the edge of the bed sipping at a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201c\u2019Morning.\u201d Tannin waved a finger at him and took another sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat are you doing up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGetting ready for a big fight.\u201d Tannin drained the last of his coffee, tossed the cup into the trash can, and headed for the shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin starred after him. Since when did Tannin get up in the morning? Onin shrugged and got dressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The girls were waiting for them outside. Onin waved to Kasai and walked over to stand next to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the plan, boss?\u201d Cerina asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe fly in and try to take them by surprise.\u201d Onin pulled out his copy of the factory map. \u201cSo far, it looks like my servitors haven\u2019t been noticed. Suit-guy is here\u2014\u201d Onin pointed to the center of the map. \u201c\u2014and there are three more Natas patrolling the area. The servitors haven\u2019t observed them using any gifts\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut they\u2019re Natas, so it\u2019s a safe bet they\u2019re cheating,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Onin nodded. \u201cSo we\u2019re gonna play it safe and see if we can isolate them and fight them one at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin raised his hand. \u201cQuestion. How are they cheating, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m not exactly sure.\u201d Saija pulled her mouth to the side. \u201cWhen I was possessed, it kinda felt like the ice and fire and stuff was coming from somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis stepped forward. \u201cRyogin-sama\u2019s theory is that they\u2019ve found another giftling like me who can copy or transfer powers, and they\u2019re corrupting it somehow to enable them to use multiple gifts instead of being limited to the host\u2019s gift.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut that\u2019s not important now.\u201d Onin generated servitors for his hands and feet and rose off the ground. \u201cLong term, that information might be useful to stop the Natas, but for now we\u2019ve all got to stay on our toes and expect surprises. Is everyone ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone nodded. Onin generated servitors for Tannin, Saija, and Cerina, and they all lifted off into the sky. Amaryllis and Kasai were right behind them. It should take about an hour and a half to get to the factory. The flight was uneventful. Boring, almost. Onin looked around. The sky was free of clouds, and the only birds were off on the horizon. It\u2019d be a nice day if they weren\u2019t on their way to battle people possessed by evil aliens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin saw a white speck on the horizon. That should be the abandoned rubber factory. He dove down until he was at about tree level, and when the factory came into sight again, he landed in the middle of a dirt road that wound through the forest. Kasai touched down to his right, and Amaryllis landed on the other side of him. Everyone else landed behind him, and they all clustered around and looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Rather unnerving, that. He still didn\u2019t feel like he should be in charge. Oh well. Someone had to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, okay, um&#8230;\u201d Onin took a deep breath. \u201cSo, the servitors report one guard on this side of the factory. We\u2019ll sneak in and try to take him out fast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija raised her hand. \u201cUm, when you say, \u2018take him out\u2019&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPreferably unconscious.\u201d Onin held up a hand when Saija opened her mouth, presumably to protest. \u201cI know, I know. You\u2019ve warned us they\u2019re all but impossible to save, but they\u2019re still people. I\u2019d like to at least try. That said, if it\u2019s you or them&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin nodded. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTry to make it quick.\u201d Saija wrapped her arms around her chest. \u201cIt\u2019s agony to be the host. If not physical pain, then emotional. They can\u2019t help what the Natas does, and\u2026\u201d She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. \u201cWell, it\u2019s not pleasant. If we do have to kill them, do the host a favor and make it quick. Also, the Natas won\u2019t be able to escape if it\u2019s fast enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stepped over and pulled Saija into a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Saija patted Kasai on the back and looked over to Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He wasn\u2019t a telepath, but he could practically hear Saija asking him what to do. She\u2019d been through so much at the hands of the Natas. Kasai too, had suffered for her entire childhood, and she still had compassion for the enemy. Onin was lucky to have friends like this. He walked over and hugged both of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGroup hug!\u201d Tannin ran over and almost pushed Onin over as he jumped in to hug everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUgh.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes. \u201cAgain with the mushy-mushy. Let\u2019s go beat up some bad guys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cRight.\u201d Tannin let go and ran down the lane. \u201cTime to save the world!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A mile down the road the forest thinned out and they stepped into a wide grassland. A lone, white farmhouse stood a ways off the road. As they approached, an old man wearing nothing but bib overalls ran out of the house and toward a pickup truck so old it still had tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s more of them demons!\u201d The old man dove into the truck and turned over the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He pulled around to the front of the house and honked the horn. An old woman with white hair wearing a paisley dress ran out of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDON\u2019T LOOK, ETHYL!\u201d the man yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ethyl shrieked and covered her eyes with one hand as she ran to the truck. She jumped in, and the old man floored it. The truck coughed and lurched forward, coughed again, and sputtered down the road. Onin was pretty sure he could out-run it on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin blinked and pointed to the truck as it disappeared around the bend into the forest. \u201cWhat the shroom was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina blinked a few times. \u201cI\u2019m not even gonna smack you for that. I have no idea what just happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shrugged. \u201cNeither do I. Uh, let\u2019s just keep walking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">About twenty minutes later Onin stopped at the factory gate. It was open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo I have to say it?\u201d Cerina pointed to the open gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, they might as well add a sign that says, \u2018It\u2019s a trap!\u2019,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMight as well get this over with.\u201d Onin reached over and took Kasai\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She looked over to him, smiled, and squeezed it. Together they stepped through the gate. Two men and a young woman, all in overalls and checkered shirts, stepped out of the nearest building. They raised their hands and sent blasts of fire and ice straight at Onin.<\/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-19\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"241\">&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-21\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"252\">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 20: Let&#8217;s Rock! Onin drummed his fingers on the restaurant table. He looked over his left shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ve redirected my servitors that are already&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-245","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245","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=245"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/245\/revisions\/290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}