It was how the Cultivators lived every moment of their lives.
People filled the hallways, but they moved aside as Ruwen walked silently past them. He realized too late that he probably should have changed. His armor looked shredded and charred.
The closer he came to the revival room, the more Priests he encountered, most helping the newly revived to the transition rooms as they came to grips with being restored in a different age.
The Priest at the door to the revival room crossed his arms over his chest and bowed as Ruwen approached. “Uru’s blessing on you, Overlord.”
Ruwen returned the bow. “Her blessings on you, Brother.”
A revival bath against the far wall pulsed yellow as Ruwen strode into the room. When he reached it, he looked through the top and saw Hamma’s face. Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful.
How much longer for Hamma, Lir? Ruwen asked.
Imprinting is complete. Running final checks now.
Thank you.
Thank you, Architect Starfield. Your actions saved many lives today. Including mine.
Ruwen wondered about Lir’s origins, and if the temple was something like a Celestial Remnant. The temple’s speech generally lacked emotion, but Ruwen heard the sincerity this time.
You’re welcome, Lir.
The liquid in the revival bath partially drained, and Hamma’s eyes fluttered open. With a click, the top opened and Ruwen pushed it up.
Hamma focused on Ruwen, and she smiled. “The lengths you go to, Ruwen Starfield, just to see me naked.”
Ruwen laughed, bent down, and hugged her.
And for the first time since Hamma’s death, he felt whole.
Chapter 83
Ruwen exited the kitchen in Bliz’s bar, Pour Judgement, carrying a plate of donuts. He worked his way toward the table his friends were at in the back of the bar.
A young Clapping Brawler, wearing an apron and carrying three bins of dirty dishes, held out his empty fourth hand. “Can I carry that for you, Mr. Overlord?”
“Chancey, I keep telling you, Ruwen is fine. And no, this is something I must do myself. But thanks.”
Chancey, the son of Knuckles, one of the Shelvers in Ruwen’s library back in the Black Pyramid, nodded. “As you wish, Mr. Overlord. Let me know if there is anything I can do.”
Ruwen sighed as Chancey went to clean another table. Nobody wanted to call him just Ruwen anymore. He made his way to the table and placed the plate of donuts in front of Sift.
Sift rubbed his stomach, then looked up at Ruwen and narrowed his eyes. “This is the third day you’ve brought me breakfast. Are you poisoning me?” Sift bent down and smelled the pastries.
It took all Ruwen’s self-restraint to not push Sift’s face into the cream filled donuts. “If I was going to poison you, why would I pick one you could smell?”
Sift rose back up. “Good point.” He picked up the smallest donut and handed it to Lylan. “How does this taste?”
“Are you seriously using me to test for poison?” Lylan asked.
“Well you have abilities and stuff,” Sift said.
Hamma shook her head. “Sift, you’ve got to start thinking before you talk.”
“And my abilities have little to do with poison,” Lylan said and held up Io.
Sift’s eyes widened, and he half stood, patting his hip. “How did you get him?”
Lylan waved her hands. “Abilities and stuff.”
Lylan placed Io in front of Xavier, who sat looking up at the sun, visible through the sky lights.
Xavier looked down at Io, and the buzzing sound Ruwen knew passed for laughter came from the hooded Celestial Remnant. “I noticed as well,” Xavier said to Io.
Ruwen sat down next to Hamma. “I’m not poisoning you. I’m just being nice.”
Sift sat back down and placed the tip of his tongue on the donut he’d offered to Lylan. “It tastes funny.”
Ruwen relaxed. Now that Sift had tasted the food, it counted for Ruwen’s quest, You’re Bacon Me Crazy. When incapacitated in the Spirit Realm after absorbing the essence storm over Stone Harbor, Sift had carried Ruwen’s unconscious body until he’d recovered. Ruwen had accidentally triggered this quest after telling Sift he’d make it up to him. The breakfasts needed to be consecutive though, and Ruwen worried Sift would break the streak by not eating, and then Ruwen would have to start the five days all over.
Rami jumped out from behind Ruwen’s ear and floated down to the table. She walked over to Sift’s plate, pulled the biggest donut off, and took a bite. Sift narrowed his eyes but didn’t stop her.
“Are we visiting Fractal this morning?” Lylan asked.
Ruwen frowned and pointed a thumb at Hamma. “We can’t. The Councils are finalizing the resettlement plan this morning. When our people return from finishing off all the enemy stragglers, they’ll be anxious to revive their families.”
“Your job is so boring,” Sift said.
“I know,” Ruwen said.
“Sounds like you could use a vacation,” Kysandra said from the chair next to Sift.
Ky took a donut from Sift’s plate as everyone stared at her in surprised shock. “I’m just saying, some beach time might do you all some good.”
Sift put his arms around his plate. “Why are you really here?”
“Terrible manners, Sift,” Ky said. She shook her head. “Not even a hi for an old friend.” She sniffed the donut and put it back on the plate. “That’s poisoned.”
Sift’s eyes widened, and he sniffed the donut again. “I knew it!”
Ruwen shook his head. “It’s not poisoned. She’s been sitting here the whole time.”
“When did you notice?” Ky asked.
“About five seconds after I sat down,” Ruwen said.
Ky winced. “Well, you’d be dead.”
“I know,” Ruwen said.
Ky turned to Sift. “And you never thought anything felt off?”
“I thought it was the poison,” Sift said. “I feel dizzy.”
Ky shook her head and looked at Lylan. “And you?”
Lylan sighed. “I never noticed you. But Ruwen’s body language basically shouted something had surprised him, so I knew something was up.”
Ky frowned. “You all need to pick up your
