The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage

WM [95] We Need A Plan

A few hours passed, and the team’s equipment was fully repaired. Tanisha’s armor, which had suffered extensive damage, had lost most of its enchantments. However, the golden lines woven into the armor were infused rather than enchanted. Because of that they retained their magical properties. The repairs altered its appearance, lightening the once black metal to a polished stainless steel. The golden lines now stood out in stark contrast, transforming her from the imposing black knight into something altogether more radiant.

“I replaced the broken enchantments for you,” Laxy said, her voice calm and measured. “Unlike the others, you are connected to the Chorus, which allows aether to flow through your armor. Because of this, I’ve added a few technological enhancements as well. However, given the technological level I’ve observed from your group, some functions may be challenging to understand initially. Before engaging in further combat with the security systems, I strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with these upgrades. I will offer lessons at a more appropriate time.”

“Wow, thank you,” Tanisha replied, marveling at the armor. She ran her fingers over the gleaming surface, feeling the craftsmanship. “It looks brand new.”

Her gaze shifted to the bardiche she had nearly shattered during the battle with the Shard-type mecha-doll. Like her armor, the weapon had been restored to pristine condition, its ornate details as striking as ever. Yet, as soon as her hand wrapped around the handle, she could sense something had changed. Laxy had enhanced the weapon’s ability to channel her magic, allowing it to resonate equally well with the Aetheric aspects of her power as it did with mana.

Tanisha’s mind raced with possibilities. If she could find a demon runesmith to refine its resonance with maya, it would become her most potent weapon. It would likely be an one-of-a-kind seiðr blade. The thought excited her, and she resolved to pursue the idea when they finally left this place and found Joha.

“I will also design a custom set of armor for Bjorn,” Laxy announced as she began weaving threads of light with her mechanical fingers. “It will take a few hours to complete. I’ll have Doxy alert you all when it’s ready.”

***

The team left Laxy to her work and met in the large R&D meeting room. There was a nervous energy from Tanisha who decided to sit with Bjorn on the floor. Aurelius was unreadable as he looked over his new shield which unlike his last one was made from some kind of dark metal and divided into individual plates. Fuyumi opened and closed her mouth several times, starting and failing to come up with a coherent enough thought to share.

The group sat in silence for a while. Tanisha didn’t really know how long before Aurelius put his shield on his back and stood up. He walked to the front of the meeting room or at least the head of the table. He looked resolute in his decision when he let out a long slow breath.

“Tanisha, Bjorn, can you come to the table?” He said with a neutral inflection.

Tanisha looked at her hydra for a moment before using her arcane shift  to appear in one of the chairs. Bjorn got up and moved one of the chairs out of the way so he could sit at the table as well.

“Thank you,” Aurelius continued, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made everyone sit up straighter. “We’ve all learned a lot from Laxy just now—more than we probably anticipated. Revelations about the past, the present…” His gaze lingered on Bjorn for a moment before returning to the group. “But no matter what we’ve uncovered, one thing remains unchanged: we have a job to do. My family needs me. People I care about are relying on me to protect them. I’ve never been one to run from a fight, and I won’t start now.”

He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. “We know the stakes now. We know what needs to be done to save ourselves, our families, and countless lives across the continent. But make no mistake—what lies ahead won’t be easy. Each of us has a role to play, and none of them are without danger. Bjorn, for example, is the only one who can survive the Chaos Hurricane. Not even my resistance is permanent, but he’s a True.” 

“I still think he shouldn’t be going alone.” Tanisha grumbled.

“Regardless, we don’t have a choice.” Fuyumi added.

“Unfortunately. However, I think after whatever Laxy is making for him is complete we won't have to worry too much about him. He is smart and monsters will be less sensitive to mana as the hurricane continues to form. Lets not forget the danger we are going to be in as well. I destroyed the Shard but going by what we saw there of the Silhouette there can be rooms with dozens of the advanced androids. They are even willing to sabotage doors to keep us from closing them. If we want to survive this, we need more than just our individual strengths. We need trust, coordination, and a deeper understanding of how to fight as a team.”

“What do you suggest?” Tanisha asked.

“Tactics,” Aurelius said firmly. “We need to train together—not just fighting side by side but learning each other’s strengths, weaknesses, magic capacities, and skills. We need every edge we can get. While Bjorn is gone, we won’t have his strength to fall back on, so we have to sharpen our own. This is something my family drilled into me while growing up in the Chaos Lands survival comes from preparation. The androids are no different from any other monster or opponent.”

“I agree.” Fuyumi said as she nodded. “We need to destroy as many of the androids daily as possible. So a training regime should also be implemented. We will start with opening the rest of the gates on both of you. Once that is complete you will both have the Mage Body.”

“This facility has a lab,” Tanisha added, raising her hand slightly. “If the fabricators can create food, they should also be able to produce plants. I’ll start brewing more potions so we can stockpile them.”

“We have three years and ten thousand enemies,” Aurelius took another long breath of determination in his voice. “Let's make sure Bjorn has nothing to worry about while he does the hard part. From what I understand, making the Angel Core is something that only he will be able to do. So, Bjorn, don't worry about us. We will keep Tanisha safe no matter what you focus on whatever you have to make the core.”

“You were the right choice for team leader, Speedy.” Tanisha said with a smile.

“Agreed.” Fuyumi said.

Aurelius shook his head with a wry smile, resting his hands on his hips. “Alright, let’s come up with a schedule, guys.”

***

Tanisha and Bjorn sat alone in one of the many quiet rooms in the R&D department. The faint hum of distant machinery was the only signs of life in the otherwise silent space. Everyone else had taken a breather, preparing themselves mentally and physically for what promised to be some of the toughest years ahead. Tanisha, however, saw this as an opportunity she couldn’t waste.

She knelt in front of Bjorn, the large hydra sitting patiently, his massive heads watching her with quiet understanding. Tanisha reached out, taking one of his massive claws in her hands. His claws glowed faintly with a venomous aetheric energy that pulsed like a heartbeat, and in return, she summoned her own magic, coating his scales in a shimmering layer of water.

The water swirled and rippled as she channeled her energy, shifting between states—liquid, ice, and steam. The room grew warmer, then colder, then filled with faint hissing sounds as steam wisped into the air. It didn’t take long for Tanisha to feel it: the deep connection of their shared magic. Bjorn’s energy brushed against hers, tentative at first, then steady. She let out a small sigh of relief when she felt her magic settle, her body accepting his influence. Moments later, she felt the shift as Bjorn’s magic responded in kind.

A grin broke across her face, the weight of her anxiety momentarily lifting. “Got it,” she whispered to herself as the communing completed.

Venomous Fang

• You have felt the venom of  Sonr Orma Eilífra
  ; it now courses through your veins. Your saliva carries a necrotic venom. As this is a shared natural ability you can not level this ability by any means but through communing with your True. This ability is tied to your True, should your True die or reject your bond you will lose this ability.

+ Poison Breath

+ You have breathed the toxin that claims the world and become one with the breath of Sonr Orma Eilífra. Your breath now carries the power of the Poisoner. Call upon the power of your True’s breath which in you carries a necrotic toxin. As this is a shared natural ability you can not level this ability by any means but through communing with your True. This ability is tied to your True, should your True die or reject your bond you will lose this ability.

Hydra Fire

• You have felt the residual heat of your True’s fire and instead of flinching away you embraced it. The heat that burned you now resides within your core. Call upon the power of your True’s fire it now carries a necrotic embrace. As this is a shared natural ability you can not level this ability by any means but through communing with your True. This ability is tied to your True, should your True die or reject your bond you will lose this ability.

+ Poison Infusion@@novelbin@@

• You have been touched by the true nature of a Poisoner of Worlds. Your existence is a venom, an inevitable death to those that try to hurt you or those you love. Your magic and body can now be infused with a Toxic nature. As this is a shared natural ability you can not level this ability by any means but through communing with your True. This ability is tied to your True, should your True die or reject your bond you will lose this ability.

Queen of Reptiles

Commune with your familiar to unlock.