Unlike the other competitors, El-Four didn’t make a beeline for the prize. Lukas had instructed him not to bother, no matter the value. It wasn’t worth the risk of exposure. Instead, he looked out for the shit inevitably hitting the fan. Most of his ‘competitors’ were already sprinting for the prize. Only the mage he had assisted and an archer from one of the teams hung back.

Fishmen leaped from the water, lunging or swiping at the people who attempted to cross the narrow bridges. Many smaller specimens also went for ankles. Unlike El-Four, the young competitors appeared well-prepared and trained for the enemy’s strategies. They ducked and weaved, skewered, and slashed, putting down the attackers or keeping them at bay.

Some teams struggled as they attempted to force their way past each other or deal with other undercity dwellers already on the bridge. El-Four spotted a phaser in its high-mass form, blocking one bridge. It ambled forward, each step heavy and laborious. All attacks bounced off the mastiff-sized body. The fishmen ahead and below barely bothered it. While the team trying to push past it served as an annoyance mostly.

A few teams had also started to fight one another indirectly. Instead of directly attacking one another, they redirected fishmen, troglodytes, or other creatures targeting the oysters against their competition.

Meanwhile, significant shifts began on the island in the center. It started with a deep rumble. The mound of oysters trembled as the island began to shift and rise. The connecting platforms moved with it, shaking. Several fishmen had to retreat, and several competitors slowed their progress, struggling to stabilize themselves. Only the third solo competitor raced onwards, weaving and leaping through and over everyone else.

Distant cries echoed through the undercity when the first oyster opened. El-Four saw no pearl, but an opportunity appeared. A new platform no wider than one of his feet rose out of the water.

Fuck it. I want a pearl.

“Frar,” the clone whispered, rushing onward. He pulled the Shade’s Mantle over his face, not for the Silent Shadow but for the shadow-modified Light Eyes. The world didn’t just become more colorful, but the usual blue tinge of darkness became more vivid as the shadows also enhanced his eyes.

Low-mass and the Haste spell combined never failed to be an exhilarating experience. The rush of moving as fast as a galloping horse, the wind in his face, and letting all else blur always put a grin on the agility-empowered clones’ faces. They didn’t suffer from the same hesitations and limitations as El-Prime, after all. The enhanced vision also helped him look out for cracks, debris, and awaiting fishmen. One lanky specimen attempted grabbing at his ankles, but it was too slow. El-Four leaped over its friends, awaiting ahead.

Daily speedy traversals across Iskander’s roofs had made him surefooted. The shaking didn’t bother him as much. The clone mostly looked out for narrow bits in danger of breaking underfoot. He was already incredibly fragile, and the fall would break bones. The creatures below would certainly rip into pieces once he entered their underwater domain. It wasn’t clear to the clone where El-Prime and El-Three lingered. Silencing Shadows was much too powerful for even his enhanced vision to track. But he doubted they were close. If El-four went down, it would take far too long for El-Three to replace him.

I’m not turning back.

The Shade’s Mantle flared around him. A headache followed. Unlike the arcane specialized clones, he didn’t excel at dividing his attention between multiple arcane techniques and spells. The mental strain forced him to release the vision spell about two-thirds of the way across the platform. Fortunately, it had widened enough for El-Four not to worry about footing as much, and he had also ascended enough for the fishmen to no longer be a concern.

Others had beaten him to the island. Undercity dwellers of all shapes and sizes fought one another. There were giant reverse-mermen who looked like every day was leg day. A couple of gelatinous masses, but they didn’t seem interested in working with one another. And several quadripedal creatures. Many made beelines for the open oyster but ran into one another or got taken down by the fish people. It seemed the aquatic humanoids hoped to protect the giant oysters.

Only one person had gotten past them: the solo competitor who moved with feline grace. She pried open the oyster whose lips had parted the most using an extendable quarter-staff. It sprayed her with a powerful jet of slime, knocking her backward. She moved with it, landing just off the mound on all fours.

El-Four didn’t wait around to watch her next steps or any other curious competitors. He raced toward the open oyster, eager to reach the light that glimmered amongst the writhing fleshy mass within.

A dart of silver light zipped through the Shade’s Mantle, barely missing his left breast. Another followed, almost striking his head. El-Four ducked and weaved, refusing to give up. If he fell, El-Prime would instantly dispel his body, ensuring no one saw the corpse and only him, disappearing into the moving, three-dimensional shadows. Hopefully, El-Three would reveal himself nearby soon enough and then run in the opposite direction, making it look like the Shadow-Walk spell.

El-Four ducked behind a giant oyster. A dart exploded against it.

There’s a delay between the shots.

He rose four seconds later and ducked while manipulating the mantle to linger. Another dart shot through it. He then rushed forward, letting the shadows follow after him. El-Four reached the open oyster and took a second too long to grab the pearl. The writhing flesh within the shell attempted to bury it, forcing him to dig in. A couple of fingers broke, but he got it. Just as the clone pulled his arm back, another dart came. It struck his left arm. The force knocked him off his feet and off the mound.

Even though El-Four landed with a controlled roll, something cracked. Much to his relief, it didn’t feel like any of his intact limbs. He screamed as he roared, ribs protesting. At least one of them had shattered. His right arm hung limp. The dart had ripped through his tricep, breaking the bone but not severing the limb. But his legs were fine. So, he ran.

The next dart went wide. Then, they stopped altogether. Loud bangs and yells sounded from the cliff towering over the lake. It was as he expected. One of the teachers had targeted him. The clone guessed it was the purpose of Kwame’s mission. He intended to find guilds who won by taking out the competition.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

El-Four sped down a different, much wider platform. Corpses lined it. One of the larger teams had fought while crossing it, and he silently thanked them for the escape route.

“Get him!” Someone yelled far behind him. “The bastard’s got a shard.”

It didn’t make sense to look over his shoulder or turn and fight. He was in no shape to do so. El-Four still had his short spear but no right arm or shield.

“He’s too fast!” The yell came from much farther away.

El-Four managed to cross the bridge without incident. He was sure whatever sniper got him had incredible skill and experience to get him at such speeds. Now, he was free, and the shadows ahead were perfect for his disappearing act.

Unfortunately, he didn't make it. A projectile struck El-Four from his blind spot, snuffing out his light and sending the soul fragment back to El-Prime.

Lukas had suspected the clone was going to fall as soon as he sped into the fray. It was foolish and impulsive, leaving him to wonder whether telling El-Four all the details of the plan was a good idea. He also put significant effort into containing his impulsive side and initially believed that the clones were able to do the same. Now, he wasn’t so sure anymore. El-Three had sped ahead as soon as El-Four started. He leaped down to where the clone had fallen, covered in Shade’s Mantle and channeling Silencing Shadows. Lukas dispelled El-Four. El-Three took the pearl. Then, he ran.

Bolts that almost blended into the darkness followed, but they struggled to follow the arcane-specialized clone. Lukas watched from a distance while resummoning El-Four. They didn’t stick around to watch El-Three’s performance or fate. He had completed his part of the bargain. The pair departed, making their way back up the path of descent. Both burned magic on their disguises and speed—Lukas using the shortsword as a focus and reducing mental strain—while the clone relied on his agility, empowerment, and low mass. El-Four also focused on enhancing his vision, scanning for threats.

It took them half an hour at full speed, but they managed to escape the undercity without incident. Lukas didn’t feel El-Three’s death. He hoped the clone followed instructions and tracked down Kwame and the expedition leader. It wasn’t part of the job, but he hoped to win points with the Shadow Seekers and the local guild authority in general. Positive reputations opened doors, and Lukas wished for his remaining time in Iskander to go as smoothly as possible.

The guards at the exit grew wary when the shadows approached. El-Four dashed onward, flaring the Shade’s Mantle and dispelling Silencing Shadows. He released a roar so monstrous Lukas didn’t think his current body was capable of such a sound. He followed close behind the clone, keeping the mantle compact and focusing all of his attention on minimizing his presence.

El-Four survived the first attack. The spear thrust missed, thanks to the large bellowing shadows. Unfortunately, the slash that followed cut him in two. The distraction bought Lukas enough time to sneak past them and speed into the dark streets of early evening Iskander. He dispelled the clone instantly, hoping he was fast enough so the mantle lingered and obscured the face.

Afterward, he dispelled his disguise and returned to the inn. Exhausted and drained. It was risky, but he was glad to have ventured into the undercity. The journey helped him learn a lot more about the fauna and the treasures they produced. Information regarding guild politics was also a big bonus. He now understood why the Shadow Seekers had a bad reputation. It was a matter of guild relations. No one trusted groups surveilling them, watching their illegal and nefarious activities, and passing judgment accordingly. Lukas didn’t know enough to guess how they gained such powers but guessed it was the case from the heard conversation.

Lukas resummoned El-Four as an arcane-specialized clone.

“Watch the streets and practice?” The clone asked.

Lukas nodded. “We need to get better with solidifying shadow fragments and using them offensively. Practice it until you can’t anymore.”

“I’ll do it while working on Silencing Shadows. You guys suck at it, and we need far more work.”

“Whatever floats your boat.”Lukas pointed at the window. “Run along.”

Personally, Lukas believed that the modified Light Eyes, or Shadow Sight as he was starting to call it—he liked the alliteration, needed more work. However, Silencing Shadows currently had more value. He intended to send a trio of clones down into the undercity to explore the area where the journal vibrated soon, probably in the next couple of days. The delve would give them plenty of time to practice the spell.

El-One had instructions to spend a part of his smithy earnings on a handful of new short swords, spears, and shields. Lukas didn’t particularly want to give them the runic shortsword or Three-Stage Spear yet. He worried that if they died and the other clones were forced to flee, they’d lose valuable tools. Lukas acknowledged that things would need to change soon. He couldn’t accompany them on dangerous missions, and many would demand the best of his arsenal. Regularly purchasing and losing new tools wasn’t sustainable either.

Maybe I need to rethink my shard choice or pick up conjuration spells sooner or later. I doubt our Shadow shaping and manipulation will be good enough to make proper weapons any time soon.

It was close to midnight by the time El-Three returned. The clone was beaming and carried more than the weapons the dispelled clone dropped.

“What is it?” Lukas asked, even though dispelling the clone would get him his answer sooner.

El-Three dropped an essence on the bed. A bright blue wisp floated within.

Essence of Arcane Regeneration

Lukas’s eyes widened. “Was this your prize?

The clone nodded. “There was someone waiting for us downstairs, and I don’t think she is going to be leaving anytime soon. It’s best if we speak to her. In private.”

He dispelled the clone before cautiously approaching the door, already aware of who waited on the other side. It was the priestess from the Owl Temple. She smiled shyly and invited herself in.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she said, lowering her hood. The maroon streaks painted from her upper eyelids and down either side of her nose made it look like a beak.

“Didn’t your mistress instruct you not to go looking for me?” Lukas asked.

The woman shook her head. “That’s what she told everyone else. You should be aware that many of them didn’t listen and are on the hunt. Fortunately, they didn’t get a good look at your face and went off whatever information I gave them. Which wasn’t a lot.”

“Why?”

“The mistress didn’t like how whatever you had between the two of you ended,” she answered, handing him a rolled leather bag. “This is for you. She hopes it will make your life on Fracture easier and eventually free you from whatever binds you.” The woman hesitated, looking Lukas up and down. “I can’t begin to imagine whatever that is. But she implores you to be careful and not get too greedy.”

“Thank you. How did you find me?

The woman turned on her heel, exited the room, and shut the door behind her before he could press for answers, leaving him with his thoughts and a final gift from Minarv. It was likely the Great Being had assisted in the act. She knew him and the way he used clones, after all. Intimately. He hoped the priestess would keep his secret. Minarv didn’t trust easily and had likely picked her well and after much thought.