The Siege-class Rune-Armor descended through the violet lightning like judgment itself, each step cracking the plaza's ancient cobblestones as it landed with the weight of a collapsing building. Four meters of polished brass and corrupted inscriptions, carrying weapons that made the air shimmer with Voidshard energy, and when it hit the ground the entire settlement shook like an earthquake.
This thing could level the entire settlement without breaking stride and it's heading straight for us.
"Everyone back to the cottages" Maeva shouted over the storm, her Thread 3 robes whipping in the wind like battle flags "This is beyond what the plaza defenses can handle"
But Alucent was already moving toward the massive construct, his Runequill blazing gold in his grip and his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat, The amplification network was still active, still connected to his Runeforce through the storm-binding inscriptions, and he could feel power flowing through him that was way beyond normal Thread 2 limits but even that might not be enough.
"Alucent, no" Raya called after him, her voice cutting through the wind with genuine fear "That is suicide even with the amplified well"
"Maybe" he said not stopping even though his hands were shaking "But someone has to try and I'm the only one with Thread 2 mastery here"
The Siege-class unit raised its primary weapon, some kind of massive cannon that was easily twice the size of a normal person and crackled with dark energy that made the air itself seem to bend and twist, When it fired the bolt of corruption would have vaporized half the plaza and everyone in it, Alucent threw himself sideways feeling the heat as the blast passed close enough to singe his frock coat and leave a smoking crater where he'd been standing.
That wasn't even a direct attack just testing our defenses and it almost killed me.
The smell of burned stone and corrupted magic filled the air making his eyes water and his throat burn but he forced himself to focus on what needed to be done, Time to try something really advanced, hope the borrowed memories are enough to get me through this.
He started etching the most complex pattern he'd ever attempted, a multi-layered shield rune that would need to protect the entire plaza from whatever that thing could dish out, The design covered about ten square centimeters of really intricate lines and symbols, layers upon layers of interlocking inscriptions that had to be perfect under pressure and each stroke of the Runequill felt like it was draining years off his life.
The borrowed memories were flowing fast now showing him techniques that felt ancient and dangerous, patterns that had been used in wars centuries ago against enemies that could level cities, but as he worked he could feel something fundamental changing in his magical abilities, The Runestorm was amplifying everything pushing him beyond normal Thread 2 limits and into territory he'd never imagined.
This is it, the trial that Sir Vorn mentioned, etching multi-layered runes under Runestorm pressure and if I mess this up we're all dead.
His hands were steady despite the fear, guided by memories that weren't his own and he could feel the pattern taking shape in the air, glowing lines of gold and silver that seemed to sing with power but the strain was incredible like trying to hold lightning in his bare hands.
"Gryan" he called out, his voice rough from the magical exertion "Your mechanical arm, I need to inscribe a shield rune on it, channel about two hundred Copperweaves worth of energy through your systems"
"That would most likely destroy the arm and perhaps kill me in the process" Gryan replied his brass prosthetic already glowing with residual Runeforce and sparking at the joints from the storm's interference, but there was determination in his voice not fear.
"Or it might give you enough power to create a barrier that can actually stop that thing" Alucent said still working on his shield pattern while sweat dripped into his eyes despite the cold "Your choice but we need something that can actually protect everyone and I can't do this alone"
Gryan looked at his enhanced arm flexing the mechanical fingers as energy coursed through the brass components, then at the massive Siege-class Rune-Armor advancing on their position with steps that shook the ground, then back at Alucent with the kind of expression a man gets when he's about to bet everything on a single throw, "Do it" he said "Better to risk dying fighting than die running like cowards"
The Siege-class unit was getting closer now, each step sending tremors through the plaza's cobblestones and making the Glowroses flicker with unstable light, Its cannon was charging for another shot and Alucent could see smaller weapons deploying from hidden compartments in its armor, beam projectors and bolt throwers that could pick them off one by one.
This thing is a walking fortress designed to take on entire armies and we're just five people with some fancy inscriptions.
Alucent completed the main shield rune and immediately started etching the secondary pattern directly onto Gryan's mechanical arm, his Runequill moving in flowing strokes that had to integrate with the existing mechanisms while channeling way more power than the system was designed to handle, The inscription had to be perfect, every line connecting to the next in a seamless web of protective energy.
His heart was beating irregular now from channeling storm energy, that rapid flutter that meant the Shadowcage Taboos were getting close and he could feel pressure building behind his eyes like someone was pressing thumbs into his skull, There was probably a 15% chance of temporary blindness if he pushed much harder but these people needed protection and he was the only one who could give it to them.
The shield rune blazed to life with brilliant blue light that cut through the violet storm like a beacon, creating a one meter square barrier of pure Runeforce that shimmered and crackled between Gryan and the approaching construct, The power flowing through the enhanced arm was incredible way beyond anything they'd managed before and Alucent could feel it through his connection to the network.
"By the gears, that is most extraordinary work" Gryan said staring at the glowing barrier with something like awe in his voice "I can feel the Runeforce stabilizing, flowing through the arm as though it were designed for precisely this, It is actually working"
But there was no time to celebrate, The Siege-class unit had locked onto their position and was raising its cannon again, the dark energy building in the barrel until it looked like a miniature storm contained in brass and steel, When it fired. The bolt struck Gryan's barrier with the force of a falling building.
The impact was incredible, The blue shield flared so bright it turned the entire plaza day-bright for a moment absorbing the dark energy and dispersing it harmlessly into the storm, but Alucent felt the feedback through his connection to the rune network like getting punched in the chest by a giant, and he staggered backward with blood running from his nose.
The barrier held but just barely and he could see cracks forming in the blue light.
This thing is worth maybe six hundred Silverweaves if we could capture it intact, but right now. I just want everyone to survive the next five minutes.
"Sir Vorn" he shouted over the wind and the crackling of magical energy "Can you trap it with a Rune Circuit while the barrier holds, target the joints and weapon systems"
"Most certainly" Sir Vorn replied, his cane sparking as he prepared the binding spell, his monocle reflecting the storm's violet flashes as he calculated angles and power requirements like the military strategist he used to be.
The weave leader launched a series of golden chains at the construct's weapon systems, each one precisely targeted at critical components trying to disable the primary cannon and the secondary armaments, The Rune Circuit wrapped around the massive unit's torso and arms constricting like a living thing made of pure energy.
For about 3 seconds it looked like it might work, the golden chains tightening and the construct's movements slowing as the binding took hold but then the Siege-class unit flexed its arms and the bindings shattered like glass, fragments of golden light scattering into the storm.
"The binding circuits prove insufficient" Sir Vorn called out, genuine concern in his voice for the first time since Alucent had known him "This construct operates at Thread 4 level, Our usual tactics shall not suffice"
Thread 4? that means it's got power to spare and defenses we can barely scratch but we have to find a way.
"Raya" Alucent called out his voice hoarse from magical strain "Can you get behind it, slash at the joints in its legs, find the weak spots where the armor plates connect"
"Against something of that size" she asked but she was already moving, her Weaveblade drawn and reflecting the storm's light like liquid silver "I shall attempt to find vulnerabilities"
She darted in from behind moving with the fluid grace of someone who'd trained for combat since childhood, her enchanted blade seeking the gaps between armor plates, The Weaveblade sparked against the brass armor and this time actually penetrated finding the narrow space where the leg joint connected to the hip assembly.
The construct's reaction was immediate and violent, hydraulic fluid spraying from the damaged joint in a pressurized stream that hissed when it hit the ground, The massive unit staggered as its left leg lost some stability but it was way far from disabled.
That took about three seconds and she actually hurt it, we're getting somewhere but it's learning our tactics.
The construct turned to face Raya with mechanical precision bringing its secondary weapons to bear, beam projectors that could cut her in half before she could dodge, but Alucent was ready redirecting the shield barrier through Gryan's enhanced arm to intercept the energy blasts.
The blue light flared as it absorbed the dark energy bolts, each impact lasting maybe half a second but hitting like hammer blows and Alucent could feel his control slipping as the strain mounted, His vision was getting blurry around the edges and his hands were shaking so hard he could barely hold the Runequill.
This is taking about five seconds per defensive cycle, we need to end this fast or I'm gonna collapse from the strain and then we're all dead.
But even as he thought, he could feel something changing inside him, the borrowed memories integrating more completely showing him patterns and techniques that belonged to masters from centuries past, The Runestorm was pushing him beyond his normal limits forcing advancement through trial by fire.
Thread 3, I can feel it happening, Silverline mastery coming now just when we need it most.
"Gryan" he said, his voice steadier now as the advancement took hold "Can you punch through its chest armor with that enhanced arm, all that power flowing through it should be enough to breach the plating"
"With this much Runeforce flowing through the system" Gryan flexed his mechanical fingers sparks trailing from the joints "I believe I can manage something rather dramatic"
The man with the enhanced arm charged forward, his brass prosthetic trailing sparks and crackling with enough energy to power a small Steamcart, The Siege-class unit turned to face him but Gryan was faster than something that big had any right to expect, boosted by the shield rune's enhancement.
When he reached the construct, he didn't just throw a punch, he put his entire body behind it. The enhanced arm leading with enough force to crack stone, The impact when it connected sounded like thunder rolling across the mountains, Gryan's enhanced fist slamming into the construct's chest armor with a noise that made everyone's ears ring.
The brass plating buckled and cracked revealing the complex machinery underneath, cables and crystals and power conduits that pulsed with corrupted energy, It was like looking into the heart of the enemy, all that nasty technology laid bare.
"I can see the weak point" Tavin called out his Runetoken pulsing as another vision took hold, his voice distant but urgent "There is a control node in the center of its chest precisely where Gryan struck it, but it remains protected by secondary armor"
Perfect, that's exactly what I was hoping for but we need to get through that protection.
Alucent poured more energy into the shield rune using the barrier to deflect another cannon blast while he prepared what felt like the most important inscription of his life, The multi-layered pattern was blazing so bright it hurt to look at directly and he could feel his advancement completing, Thread 2 abilities expanding into full Silverline mastery with all the combat applications that implied.
Thread 3, combat runes and healing inscriptions, this changes everything, we can do.
The new abilities were flowing through him like electricity showing him exactly what needed to be done, A combat rune that could penetrate the secondary armor. Precisely targeted to disable the control node without destroying the entire unit, It was complex work that would have been impossible ten minutes ago but now it felt natural.
Sir Vorn launched one more binding circuit, this time targeting the exposed control systems in the construct's damaged chest, The golden chains wrapped around the revealed machinery with surgical precision holding critical components in place for exactly the opening they needed.
"Now!" Alucent shouted completing his combat rune with a flourish that sent golden light streaming across the plaza "Everyone hit it at once"
Raya struck from behind again, her Weaveblade finding another joint and severing a critical hydraulic line, Gryan followed up with another enhanced punch that cracked the secondary armor around the control node, Sir Vorn's binding held the target steady and Alucent's combat rune lanced out like a spear of pure energy.
The rune struck the control node with pinpoint accuracy overloading the system with a feedback pulse that traveled through every circuit in the construct's body, Sparks flew from joints and weapon ports, the red glow faded from corrupted inscriptions and the massive cannon powered down with a dying whine.
The entire coordinated attack had taken maybe 20 seconds from start to finish, each person playing their part in a sequence that felt choreographed by fate itself and now the Siege-class Rune-Armor was shutting down, its systems failing one by one.
"Systems failure detected" the construct said. Its voice becoming mechanical and distant as higher functions went offline "Entering emergency standby mode"
The massive unit's weapons retracted into their housing, the threatening red glow faded from its inscriptions to harmless amber and in a matter of seconds the most dangerous enemy they'd ever faced had become a harmless pile of sophisticated machinery.
We actually did it, we beat a Thread 4 construct with coordination and strategy, I can't believe that worked.
Alucent collapsed to his knees as the adrenaline faded, his whole body shaking from magical exhaustion and the aftereffects of rapid advancement but he was grinning despite the pain, They'd not only survived. They'd won decisively.
"Most extraordinary work" Sir Vorn said his monocle fogged with steam from the magical exertion and genuine admiration in his voice "Taking down a Thread 4 construct with coordinated tactics, I have never witnessed such precise teamwork under pressure"
"Could not have managed it without everyone playing their part" Raya said, cleaning hydraulic fluid off her Weaveblade with a cloth "That was closer than I care to repeat"
"Aye, but we managed it" Gryan added flexing his enhanced arm and checking the systems "That shield rune integration, it actually improved the arm's performance permanently"
Maeva emerged from her cottage looking at the disabled construct with amazement and something like reverence "You have not merely defeated it, you have captured it intact" she said "A Siege-class Rune-Armor in working condition could protect this entire settlement from anything short of a full army"
"Keep it then" Alucent Said. Though his hands were still shaking from the magical strain and he could taste blood where he'd bitten his tongue during the feedback pulse "The plaza needs defenses more than we need the coin and that thing's got enough firepower to hold off a regiment"
"That is remarkably generous but the community insists upon proper compensation" Maeva said pressing a small bag into his hands with the weight of gratitude behind it "30 Silverweaves and our eternal gratitude, You have given us hope when we had none"
Thirty more Silverweaves, that brings me up to eighty-five total, plus I've got Thread 3 mastery now, not bad for a night's work.
As they caught their breath and the immediate danger passed, one of the local merchants approached with a bundle of dark fabric that seemed to shimmer in the storm light "Storm cloak" he said "Woven with Runethread protects against acidic rain and lightning strikes, Normally fifteen Copperweaves but for the plaza's defenders just ten"
"I'll take it" Alucent said fishing out the copper coins with hands that were finally starting to steady, The cloak was really well made, thick wool lined with metallic thread that hummed with protective enchantments, probably worth the trade for whatever weather they'd face on the road to Iron Vale.
The fabric felt warm and reassuring as he wrapped it around his shoulders and he could immediately feel the difference as the acidic rain stopped stinging his skin, Small comforts mattered when you were heading into unknown danger.
"Thread 3 advancement confirmed" Sir Vorn explained examining Alucent with professional interest "You can now create combat runes, healing inscriptions and complex protective barriers, Silverline Scribe represents a considerable step up from basic Coppermark abilities"
Silverline Scribe, I like the sound of that, feels like I've earned something real.
As they talked and tended to minor injuries Tavin made that choking sound again, his eyes rolling back as another vision took hold but this one was different, clearer and more detailed than before, like looking through a window instead of frosted glass.
"Eloha's fortress" he said in that distant voice that seemed to come from somewhere else entirely "I can see it now clearer than ever, Built into the mountainside above Iron Vale like a scar in the rock, Hundreds of Rune-Armors in the workshops, assembly lines producing them faster than any normal forge and something else, something huge in the deepest chamber that pulses with dark energy"
"The Loom of Threads" Sir Vorn asked urgently leaning forward with his cane crackling with residual energy.
"Yes and it is worse than we thought" Tavin whispered, his voice filled with horror at what he was seeing "He is not merely using it to corrupt individual shards, he is reweaving the entire Runeforce network, every Rune Path for hundreds of kilometers turning the whole system into a web with himself at the center"
The whole system, every settlement connected to the network, that's millions of people who depend on Rune Path magic for everything from heating their homes to growing their food.
Tavin's eyes focused again but he looked shaken to his core like someone who'd seen the end of the world and realized it was coming fast "There is more" he said reaching into his pack with trembling hands "This fell from the construct when it shut down, I think it is important"
He pulled out a piece of crystallized Voidshard about the size of his palm but this one wasn't corrupted with the sickly red glow they'd seen before, Instead it pulsed with soft blue light and seemed to contain moving images like looking into a crystal ball that actually worked.
"Navigation crystal" he explained holding it up so the light played across their faces "It shows not just the route to Iron Vale but complete tactical information, everything Eloha's forces know about their own defenses"
Sir Vorn examined the crystal, his monocle glinting in its blue glow as he studied the moving images within "Indeed this appears to be most comprehensive" he said "Not merely the route but fortress layouts, guard rotations, patrol schedules even the internal structure of the Loom chamber itself"
"That seems rather convenient" Raya said suspiciously, her hand still resting on her Weaveblade's hilt "Almost too convenient, Why would they carry detailed maps of their own stronghold in a field unit"
"Because Siege-class units are autonomous commanders" Alucent realized, his Thread 3 insights making connections that would have escaped him before "They need complete tactical information to coordinate large-scale operations independently, We just got incredibly lucky that this one was carrying current intelligence"
But as he studied the crystal more closely he noticed something that made his blood run cold, The route to Iron Vale passed through several other settlements, each marked with symbols that looked like corruption indicators and most of them were already red.
"Sir Vorn" he said pointing to the crystal's display "Look at these waypoints, Eloha's been systematically corrupting the Runeforce network settlement by settlement and he's almost finished"
"A coordinated campaign spanning months, perhaps years" Sir Vorn agreed grimly "Not random attacks but a deliberate plan to control the entire Rune Path system, We are witnessing the final stages of a conquest that began long before we realized what was happening"
That changes everything, this isn't just about stopping one corrupted sorcerer, it's about saving an entire civilization that depends on magical infrastructure.
The storm was finally starting to break up, violet lightning becoming less frequent and the acidic rain turning back to normal water that actually felt refreshing instead of burning, Temperature was warming up a bit too. Maybe 12°C now instead of the bone-deep cold that had been sapping their strength.
"There is something else" Tavin said studying the crystal more closely his face pale in its blue glow "The map shows timing information, countdown markers, Eloha is planning something catastrophic in four days, Some manner of grand ritual at the Loom that will complete his control over the network"
"Four days to reach Iron Vale and stop him" Raya said her voice tight with the weight of what they were facing "Assuming we can even penetrate his defenses which according to this crystal include automated sentries, patrol routes and enough Rune-Armors to outfit a proper army"
"We'll find a way" Alucent said with more confidence than he felt but the Thread 3 mastery was giving him insights into possibilities he'd never considered before "Advanced combat runes should give us options we didn't have before, ways to fight that they won't be expecting"
"We should rest while we can" Sir Vorn suggested though his expression was troubled "Iron Vale is indeed a three-day journey from here and we shall need our strength for whatever we find there, This will not be like tonight's battle, This will be war"
"Agreed, you are all welcome to remain in the plaza" Maeva said "The community owes you safe shelter and frankly your presence makes us all feel safer with that construct standing guard"
As they gathered their stuff and prepared to find dry clothes and hot food Alucent noticed something that made him pause, In the crystal's tactical display there was a section marked as "Loom Access Protocols" that showed a complex sequence of runes and gestures almost like a password system.
"Tavin" he said "Can your visions tell us anything about those access protocols, how to actually get to the Loom once we're inside the fortress"
Tavin studied the crystal, his eyes going distant again for a moment "The protocols change daily" he said "But there is a pattern, a master sequence that overrides the daily codes, Eloha uses it when he needs emergency access"
"And you can see this master sequence?" Raya asked.
"I can see him using it yes but the visions are fragmentary, I would need to be closer to the fortress within a few kilometers before I could discern the complete pattern"
So we'll have to get most of the way there before we know how to actually complete the mission, wonderful.
As they headed toward the cottages to plan their next moves, Alucent caught sight of his reflection in a puddle of rainwater, His blue eyes were still reflecting the fading lightning but there was something fundamentally different about them now, A depth and intensity that spoke of power gained and trials survived but also of the weight of responsibility that came with both.
Silverline mastery, combat runes, healing inscriptions, advanced tactical thinking, I'm not the same person who started this journey but I'm not sure if that's entirely good.
The borrowed memories were more integrated now, less like foreign thoughts and more like natural extensions of his own knowledge but with them came the understanding of just how dangerous the path ahead really was, Thread 4 Weavers didn't go down easy and Eloha had been preparing for this confrontation far longer than they had.
But even as the magnitude of the task ahead settled on his shoulders he could feel something else, A sense of rightness about what they were doing like this was exactly where he was supposed to be and these were exactly the people he was supposed to be fighting alongside.
No pressure at all, just the fate of the entire Runeforce infrastructure depending on five people and whatever tricks they could cobble together.
The storm was definitely breaking now, natural stars becoming visible between the dissipating clouds and in that clearer light the plaza looked different somehow, More peaceful but also more fragile like something precious that needed protecting from forces that would destroy it without a second thought.
"Tomorrow we head for Iron Vale" he said as much to himself as to the others, wrapping the storm cloak more tightly around his shoulders "Time to see if Thread 3 mastery and whatever we can learn from this crystal is enough to take on a Thread 4 Weavers with an army and the most powerful Runeforce artifact in existence"
Behind them the disabled Siege-class Rune-Armor stood silent guard over the plaza, its brass armor gleaming in the starlight like a promise of protection, A reminder of the battle they'd won through teamwork and determination and a preview of the much larger conflict still to come.
The Voidshard map pulsed softly in Tavin's hands, its blue glow showing the path ahead with all its dangers and challenges mapped out in crystalline detail, Iron Vale awaited and with it the final confrontation that would determine not just their fate but the fate of everyone who depended on the Rune Path network for their daily survival.
Thread 3 abilities, 85 Silverweaves, a storm cloak that might keep them alive through whatever weather Eloha could throw at them. And a team that had just proven they could work together when everything was on the line, Maybe we've got a chance after all and maybe that's enough to build on.