Elian’s concerns fell on deaf ears. Borlen was resolved to go through with his Tribulation, and all Elian could do was help rather than try to stop it. A small procession around a groff-pulled cart, their group entered the gates of the Cauldron, followed the curve of the uppermost tier, and exited through another gate. Catfolk ruins were somewhere ahead.

  Piled high on the cart were the Lha’ar absorbing stones that survived the Tribulation of Tharguras. The stones were usually embedded inside Tellerin fortifications, such as walls and towers, to absorb the impact of cannonballs and other physical strikes. During Tharguras’ Tribulation, Borlen’s group placed their absorbing stones around the bowl to chip away at the force of the strike as it descends.

  This time, they used it differently. Instead of digging a crater, which wouldn’t be too helpful as Borlen’s Tribulation didn’t have a huge area of effect, they placed the absorbing stones around a magic circle on the ground.

  “You hired wardcrafters?” Elian asked Borlen, nodding a greeting at the people drawing on the ground.

  “That is so,” Borlen replied. “Confirmation of our utmost seriousness in this endeavor.”

  “Let’s see… looks like they’ll directing the force from above to the absorbing stones. A sound plan.” Elian wanted to add to their seals but thought it might be rude. Instead, he told Borlen, “I can share your burden. Let me take the brunt of the Tribulation” As soon as those words came out of his mouth, he knew that they were even more rude.

  “Nay, brother,” Borlen said with steel in his voice and darkened eyes. He surely had more to say but his two words got the message across.

  Elian bowed in apology. He couldn’t help but be protective of others, especially those who have helped him. He was confident he could endure Borlen’s Tribulation. But covering the old man would be a massive hit to his honor. “I understand. I’ll make Aether constructs to protect the absorbing stones later.”

  Borlen nodded—Elian took that to mean he accepted the offer—and gestured for the other pilgrims to start moving the absorbing stones.

  With their work underway, Elian stayed on the sidelines to not bother them. After all, he was just invited. He sat on the lap of a many-armed catfolk statue, wondering if he should’ve tried harder to stop this. He didn’t know how hard the twenty-fifth Tribulation would hit, nor how tanky Borlen was. Elian wouldn’t have any worries if this was Thorren wearing a complete set of armor crafted by the Merlan blacksmiths. But Borlen had mentioned he had injuries—it seemed they were grievous enough to stop his Tribulation progression—and he was, very clearly, very old.

  Elian ran some calculations in his head while scanning the magic circle. Even if his estimates were correct, the effect of his constructs would be minimal. Letting out a resigned sigh, his mind wandered to the ruins.

  During his research at the temple library, he came across what he assumed to be the Forbidden Temple—it was called the House of Tormented Salvation according to scholars who translated the ancient catfolk language to Angloise. No monsters there. No curses. It was an important place where lots of rituals were held, that was all. Elian could tell that without reading any book.

  Neither did he find any information about the Magistrate’s Curse besides what he already knew. Asking Marielle for help wasn’t an option. He couldn’t think of an innocent explanation for such a request; his excuse of curiosity was getting old.

  When the preparations of the pilgrims were nearly done, Naamon came on his own. He wore a plain brown cloak over his embroidered tunic made in Tellerin fashion. Noticing Elian, he placed an outwardly turned fist on his chest and bowed. Elian had become quite famous among the Tellerins for taking on Naamon’s wind blades with only a few scratches on his skin as injuries. Stories of Elian’s Dark Forest shenanigans possibly also spread to them.

  Elian breathed easier. No red robes. He took it to mean that Naamon wasn’t bringing any Champion Penitent rivalry issues with him. Was this an attempt at reconciliation? Did Thalman talk them into it?

  “Brother, welcome.” Borlen extended both hands.

  Naamon accepted them, performing a double handshake the Tellerin used to convey respect. “I’ve come to witness the resumption of your journey and give aid.”

  “We will begin soon.”

  As the other pilgrims helped Borlen into the Merlan armor, Elian approached the magic circle. He made some adjustments to the outer ring with his foot, adding lines on the ground here and there to strengthen it. Finding it still insufficient, he bent down and pretended to fix the absorbing stones’ placement. While doing so, he ordered Viney to come out and stealthily scribble more runes. He blocked it from the view of the pilgrims with his body.

  “Is anything amiss, brother?” Casimir asked.

  “Just checking the absorbing stones,” Elian quickly replied. “I’m going to protect them with my Aether constructs.”

  The first instinct of a novice Aether mage might be to make simple shields, transfer all their attributes to Armor, and stack them on top of Borlen to defend against the Tribulation—this would be a waste given how strong the strike would be. A better use of the constructs was to let the magic circle distribute the Tribulation’s force to the absorbing stones and just choose to protect some to make them last.

  Elian chose eight stones of the few dozen to protect with tiny purple domes made of Aether. Each of them would reduce the load of the stone they were covering. Still not much of a help, but better than just getting shattered instantly. He stood with the rest of the pilgrims as they hummed their tribal songs for bravery.

  A fully armored Borlen stepped into the middle of the magic circle. He carried a round shield cut from a single red stone. It wasn’t among the gifts of Priest Thalman, Elian was sure, so it must be Borlen’s equipment.

  Naamon, standing a foot from the perimeter of the circle, stretched out his arms, palms facing Borlen. A sparkling blue film covered his body, and out of his hands extended ribbony filaments, numerous strands of hair reaching Borlen. Once they connected, Borlen also glowed like Naamon.

  This was Elian’s first time seeing this. He didn’t have the capability to scan the effect of luminous threads.

  “What is he doing?” He expected it to be some kind of defensive boost. Could also be a bond that shared damage like Thalman’s strategy.

  “The ultimate act of friendship and selflessness,” Casimir explained. “Naamon is temporarily sharing his attributes with Uncle Borlen. This is the power of the Lesser Boon of the Tri-Horned Magnam’s Altruistic Tether.”

  “Tri-Horned Magnam? Sounds familiar. Isn’t that deity living among the sand towers of Tellerin?”

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Indeed, brother Elian. Many Tellerin Penitents take this Boon so we can help each other endure the Tribulations. Since only one Lesser Altruistic Tether can attach to a person, Tellerin Penitents pair to form oath bonds—one will be the Bearer and the other will be the Giver. The Bearer is the one between the two who’ll likely travel further on the Penitent Journey. He will devote himself to preparing for the Tribulations, carrying with him the Penance of the Giver. The Giver sacrifices one of his Divine Bestowal slots to help the Bearer through his Tribulations, doing his utmost to increase his Armor. In turn, the Bearer will help the Giver become stronger, the benefits redounding to him.”

  “Is Naamon the former Giver of Borlen?” Elian asked before he could stop himself. As he belatedly predicted, it was the wrong question.

  Casimir looked away, “Naamon is… was oath bonded to someone else.”

  “What was that about sharing attributes?” Elian changed the topic, sensing there might be something useful here. “The Tether transfers Naamon’s attributes to Borlen?”

  “A fraction of it. It’ll then be multiplied upon reaching the Tethered. Twice or thrice. I can’t recall by how much.”

  “What benefits does the Giver get? I mean, not counting that the Bearer will shoulder the Giver’s burdens. The Tether’s caster loses his attributes but also receives something in return, doesn’t he?”

  Casimir had a puzzled expression as if Elian was asking a trick question. “Er… no. It wouldn’t be called the Altruistic Tether if it were otherwise. The benefit is gaining the ability to protect others.”

  Isn’t that what I’m looking for? A way to use his massive Armor to help others. A very direct way. Before Elian could ask more questions, the sky darkened as clouds swirled.

  Casimir joined the others in singing. Their voices become stronger.

  Elian concentrated on the tiny domes he made.

  “I, Borlen Bluebeard, formerly Borlen Lha’ar Sarkhan of Tellerin,” he shouted to the heaves, “offer myself to be judged. Let the Tribulation descend!” Borlen knelt on one knee as he raised his shield to cover him.

  Blue light zapped down from the middle of the cloud vortex, heading straight for Borlen. The magic circle activated and the ground was alight with energies. Different colors and symbols blossomed around Borlen. A loud boom. Barriers shattered in an instant. The last layer of defense dispersed the bulk of the Tribulation to the absorbing stones. It all happened in a second.

  The next second, the absorbing stones cracked. Some outright exploded, their pieces ricocheting off Borlen’s armor. Naamon created a barrier of wind blades to protect himself. But the stones that Elian protected remained intact and continued to lessen the force of the Tribulation even if slightly.

  The Tribulation slammed on Borlen. A loud ringing almost made them deaf. It was the Merlan steel vibrating to dissipate the force. The magic circle was wiped away as the ground was flattened, a depression a few inches deep formed. The last of the absorbing stones were destroyed.

  And it was done.

  “I… I did it,” Borlen’s weak voice, muffled by his almost, was clear in the silence that followed. He let his shield drop as he fell on all fours.

  Elian was running towards Borlen, but Naamon got there first, offering a healing potion. Elian and Naamon helped Borlen stand as the other pilgrims cheered. Elian may think the Tribulation system was stupid, but he felt their conviction and unity.

  There was a spark of inspiration and hope watching Borlen succeed.

  When they were sure that Borlen was safe from harm, they loaded him on the cart they used to transport the absorbing stones and went to meet the rest of the group already ready with the wagons for their short trip.

  Their destination—Faridar’s Tribulation.

  Elian couldn’t wrap his head around the unfolding events. Much had probably happened while he was holed up inside the temple library. Happenings for the better, it seemed, as the rival groups were making peace.

  Some of Naamon’s companions joined them upon reaching the central hill. Coldness and awkwardness abound. But Naamon powered through, trying to keep up a conversation between the two groups.

  “Brother Elian,” Borlen said, wincing as he sat straighter. He was on the right side of the wagon while Elian was across him. “Are you sure we’re not disrupting your Aether Magic education? Don’t let us pressure you into coming with us.”

  “It’s alright,” Elian said. He never told them he intended to go to Faridar’s Tribulation, assuming that Borlen would take offense. “I want to show my support to a fellow Penitent.”

  From the central hill, they went over the bridge to Vigor Hill and out the marble gates to traverse the Road of Penitents Past. The way was mostly empty as most people had already gone to the clearing for Tribulations. Ten minutes to their destination, it became clear they could no longer travel on their wagons. The way was packed with other groffs and wagons left behind by their owners to continue on foot.

  “Are you okay with walking, brother?” Elian asked Borlen as he alighted from the wagon first. In the distance, over the crowns of trees, he could see towers and floating shield constructs.

  “I may be old and have just endured my twenty-fifth Tribulation,” Borlen said, “but walking wouldn’t exact a toll on my body. My promise to Naamon, I will keep with ease.”

  Naamon came up beside Elian as their group merged with the river of people flowing to the clearing. “Brother Elian,” he said. “I haven’t apologized for the harm I have caused you. I deeply regret that I did so.”

  “I accept your apology.” Elian deemed those words sufficient. He was an outsider to their conflict. Better for him to blend into the background and not accidentally mess up their healing wounds.

  “If there’s anything I could do to repay you,” Naamon said, “I will do it if it is within my power. Let me erase my shame.”

  Elian couldn’t think of anything he wanted from Naamon. And he shouldn’t. Asking for compensation would diminish his standing. The damage to him was minimal. The most he could ask for were clothes, which he could buy himself. But then, he thought of something not worth much but could be invaluable in the future—information. Specifically, about the Altruistic Tether.

  “Perhaps you can tell me about the Tri-Horned Magnam’s Boon?” Elian asked. “How much of your attribute is taken from you and how much will the Tethered receive?”

  “Ten percent of my total attributes I give,” he replied. “It’ll be multiplied twofold and added to the Tethered attributes. However, the multipliers and bonuses of the Tethered will not affect the shared attributes. I’m only at the first tier because I used my Favor Points on other Boons.”

  “I’m assuming the higher tiers give a bigger percentage? Probably a higher multiplier too.”

  “That is so,” Naamon said. Elian was beginning to suspect the Tellerins were required to use this phrase at least once a day. “You can also share certain barriers and enhancements you have to your Tethered.”

  “What about the Greater Boon of the Tri-Horned Magnam?”

  “It will allow one to Tether many. Are you interested in becoming a Giver? I dissuade you from doing so. You can travel far as a Bearer, given your sturdy body. Let others support you.”

  Elian could only nod as he flipped through the pages of his memory. They lost many heroes in the original timeline; heroes who could’ve changed the course of history had they lived. An important aspect of his plan for his next run was to not let these heroes die. He wasn’t conceited to think he could singlehandedly defeat the Giants.

  The Magnam’s Boon was the perfect way to make his massive Armor count. He couldn’t expect enemies to hit only him and ignore everybody else.

  Imagine if the Great Hero Salvinor had a million more Armor. He didn’t need to sacrifice himself to break the defenses of the Giant’s castle. He could’ve reached the Giant King and dealt some actual damage to the colossal bastard.

  A Divine Bestowal slot, though precious and limited, was a small price to pay to keep the important pieces of humanity’s victory alive. And it was a net gain overall. Yes, Elian would lose Armor, but the Tethered would gain much more than what would be subtracted from him.

  That settles it, he thought. The Boon of the Tri-Horned Magnam would take one of his slots. He’d have to travel to Tellerin before the Giant invasion would escalate.