Eirwen stood and removed her apron, and clipped on her fannie pack with a smile in Nick’s direction, causing Nick to chuckle. 

She was about to head off to the Crown Sanctum to purchase the chamber, but Rebecca cleared her throat as she stood and started walking toward the exit. “Since this is now your private business, I will take my leave. I am grateful for your…sudden, very generous hospitality, but–”

Nick’s sheep wife was quick to put her hand on Rebecca’s shoulder, and began dragging her away from the door. “Nonsense! I insist that you come with us. This will actually affect you, after all.”

Rebecca blinked. “It will?”

Nick asked, “You got some place to be, Becca? You’re my follower, so we can trust you to keep my secrets. I know you have a whole day before your clergy arrives, but I don’t think there is much more prep you can do, for now.”

“I… You’re right, I was just going to patiently meditate and read a book for the next day while we waited. If you’ll have me…”

Kaya nodded. “You’re welcome here, Rebecca!”    

Nick had Eirwen do the honors in purchasing the Genesis Chamber. When it was completed, a new hallway opened up, the wall’s panel simply sliding into the ceiling. It was adjacent to Nick’s royal chambers, the hallways having room for several other doors.

The group walked into the room together, the girls gasping in surprise. Within the chamber, was something straight out of a sci-fi movie, for Nick.

Kaya looked on in confusion, “What are these…capsules?”

There were three of them, and they resembled cloning chambers and similar from movies and games. An odd, greenish liquid was inside, the glass of the giant vats see-through.

A slate terminal was off to the side, with a crystal that reminded Nick of his Soul Blade. When Eirwen tapped it to wake it up, it came with a prompt for Nick, the Archaen Lord, to touch the crystal and channel his soul magic.

He did so, the crystal spinning up, and text appearing on the slate.

[Souls Available for Genesis: Jasmine, “Jasper,” Irene, Ferigna, Erika, Sigrid, Scott]

Nick sighed in relief when he saw Irene’s name, knowing that was Rebecca’s mother. “Damn, Ferigna’s mom and dad did her dirty with that name.”

Kaya socked Nick’s arm. “Stop screwing around! These are people that died for us, their brethren.”

“Aw, my bad, Ferigna.”

Eirwen added, “It means daughter of iron, I think it’s a great name for an orc.”

Rebecca’s eyes were wide. “My mom’s name is there. Is that–does that mean…?”

Nick nodded. “It’s her. She became my follower during that battle, and I got her with me now, in my soul core. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t want to get your hopes up until I was sure. Let’s see.” Rebecca gasped, tears filling her eyes as Eirwen worked the slate.

Tapping on each of them, they learned that the orc scouts and the warrior would only take a few days worth of essence, siphoning thirty percent of the tower’s total income from the leylines before revival, split among those in the capsules.

Jasmine was considered an energy construct of the third stratum and would take six years, and Irene, an angel, over five months, but that was a hefty expenditure for his kingdom. Nick was actually quite interested in Jasper, a male Frostwarg Alpha from early in the second stratum. 

Jasper would just take a few weeks, so with things improving, it wouldn’t take long at all to give the creature its original body at all.

However, it was important for Nick to keep in mind that using the essence in different ways, he could build various buildings instead over that time, like places for crafting and training, or upgrading housing and more. 

By investing the essence in this way, he was giving up something else that could be built or upgraded. The special buildings like the Cathedral, Training Grounds, and Adventurer’s Guild all required to be powered by essence.

Eirwen hummed. “This seems like a long time for Irene, but I think our output is about to increase dramatically. Once Nick finishes the tenth floor in the Path of Kings, it will increase by nearly double. Then, it will go even further with each level he conquers.”

Nick nodded. “This is also before nearly doubling with the two tower’s arrivals. We can do three at once, let’s queue up the orcs for now, and we’ll start on Irene next.”

Rebecca gasped. “You would…revive my mother? I can’t believe it! But…the cost is significant!”

He smiled at her. “Why wouldn’t I? She’s my follower now, just like you. It’s part of the Pact. I promised you all my protection, as Lord Noblefrost. This is a part of that, but I’d do it anyway.”

Rebecca looked moved, tears coming to the corners of her eyes. “But I know you don’t have to, at least not yet. The cost is prohibitively expensive. I… Thank you, Lord Noblefrost. I won’t forget this. It’s wonderful that I can see my mother again, someday!”

“I walk the Hero’s Path, remember? Of course I’m going to help your mom. Besides, she helped me beat the Bishop, and also healed my soul a bit. It’s the least I can do.”

Eirwen beamed. “Hubby was really like a fairy tale hero there! It’s wonderful he managed to save her from such a horrible situation. Let’s get these orcs started.”

The happy sheep girl triggered three out of the four orcs to be regenerated, and Nick had to place his hand on the crystal. The souls shot out of him, and then essence began to gather around a core within each of the three capsules, white lines of essence being drawn into the odd machines from the Ordeal. 

Kaya looked around, taking interest in the lights and everything that was happening. “I wonder what upgrades are available for this room?”

Eirwen triggered the option in the panel, showing the same options presentable within the Crown Sanctum.

[Genesis Chamber Upgrade List]
[Additional Capsule(Max 10): 500 DP]
[Increase Single Capsule Size: 500 DP]
[Capsule Essence Efficiency(30%): 1000 DP]
[Vessel Creation Matrix: 2000 DP]

There was a note that additional upgrades would be made available as he completed others, but Vessel Creation Matrix immediately stood out to him.

[Vessel Creation Matrix]
[Enables the creation and synchronization of souls with bodies from recorded templates, and allows customization options. Templates are available and recorded from Archaen Archives and Summon Soul Servant usage. Comes with a variety of base options.]

Nick was surprised, “Wow, that sounds crazy! I think it means I can make a body for someone that’s not even their own, and shove their soul in there? I guess not all that different from my Create Soul Servant ability, but a little more permanent, like? It still seems kinda creepy.”

Eirwen giggled. “Well, just for future reference: I think if I had to choose between a few years not being by your side and something weird, I would choose something weird.”

Kaya hummed. “Oh! I know–maybe you could make a different body for Jasmine!”

Nick snorted, then he considered it. From what he remembered of his maid, she would probably be willing to do just about anything to be able to serve him. The odd face she made while in the hobgoblins body about being put inside the original wolfling alpha was probably that she didn’t want to be put into a monsterfolk male’s body, let alone one with high breeding instincts and one so ugly. 

In the end, she was an odd being of energy or essence, capable of taking any shape she wished, even if not any form.

He had humans from the very first bandits he had used, and the hobgoblin–perhaps he could customize them, as in shift the gender? Each of those he’d placed his soul servant into was male. 

Suddenly, he came up with an idea, that he was filled with anticipation for, but he would have to wait.             

“That is a good idea, Kaya. This handled, let’s go check my study? You can come if you want Rebecca, but this will be more my personal business. I bet you might be interested in a forgotten race’s knowledge?”  

Rebecca blinked, before she blushed. “I… Is that okay? I feel like I’m…intruding.”

Eirwen gasped. “Not at all, Becca! You helped hubby in his search, and fought to rescue the slaves and get to the bottom of the problems in Zura. Then we all fought together against the evil within, and you even helped us stand against the drakes when we needed you. We’re comrades and friends now, aren’t we? We have much respect for you, and you are welcome in our home.”

Nick and Kaya both nodded, and Rebecca looked moved, a small smile coming to her face. “You’re right. Then, as a seeker of knowledge, I would love to join you in investigating a lost race’s study!”

They went through Nick’s room, though he had forgotten about Luna’s gift at the door. Nick waved it off with an easy, he had it coming to him, Rebecca had looked a little green at all the blood, though.

Entering the study, both Eirwen and Rebecca gasped, but Nick’s wife was first to exclaim, “So many books! If this is what your study is like, I can’t wait to see the archives!”  

It was a decent sized room, lined with a dozen bookshelves against the walls and seating in the center. The room was a place where Nick received many private lessons from tutors, separating the place of learning from his play and training area.

Rebecca noted, “The essence is thick here, and the glyphs running through the bookshelves preserve the books. This is even better than our library! This place is remarkable.”

In all, there were hundreds of books here. However, Nick was drawn to the desk at the rear of the study.

On the desk was a magical crystal, which Nick knew was a special video player like a hologram. Nick hesitated, and Eirwen grasped his shoulder. “Let’s see what your mother has to say to you!”

Rebecca’s eyes were wide. “I will busy myself with these books…over here.”

He activated the crystal by channeling his mana into it. His mother appeared, a hazy image. Just like before, he couldn’t help but feel Eirwen was similar in numerous ways, with her goat or sheep-like legs, but blue skin. Straight and long white hair, and a proud smile.

She was even wearing reading glasses, which she took off. Her gem on her forehead shone brightly as she spoke, “My son, my prince, I am so sorry that this is all that remains of your Heritage. We had to limit the knowledge contained within this room, or it would have taken you far longer to earn and retrieve it. Since you are seeing this message, this means we were not there to greet you, and there’s a good chance that…we failed to reach Eternity. But do not give up hope! Our challenge is one that can take thousands of years, and our immortality means we could get trapped or stuck within–but that doesn’t mean all is yet lost. Perhaps, when you strive for Eternity, you may enter and find us inside.”

His mother gave a teasing smile, “Hopefully, leaving many heirs behind, and bringing numerous wives and followers with you. Our disguise we created for you should hold up against even immortals, but do make sure you obtain it before creating any Heirs!”

Nick couldn’t help but smile at his mother’s enthusiasm for his own happiness.

She continued, “But that will be for when you enter for yourself. Do not rush on our behalf. Live for yourself and the people first, and if you decide to enter, do it for you and yours. Do not allow our burdens to be your own, I beg of you.”

Next was details about the books contained in the study, her pointing to the various sections of the small library. They had placed the details of many Ideals and Paths that his followers could read, as well as books on general Concept formation. The most important to Nick were those about his race, which were on the shelves of his personal desk. 

She pointed over to a secret entrance to the barrows, and included some minor details on the many barrows and crypts beneath Havendale, which had Nick excited to explore. There were some minor Tests and even Trials that would enable him to earn important skills or information, as well as earn Development Points and additional Kingdom buildings. 

Hearing these, he unlocked a Quest.

[Heritage Quest Received: Explore the Barrows.]
[Within your Kingdom, various treasures lie beneath in the barrows. Explore them, but be wary. They are protected both from you, but also those that may pillage or plunder. Expect various dangers: from traps to monsters, to Tests and Trials. You must earn your Heritage, and so expect rewards to be commensurate with the challenge.]
[Subquest: Discover and earn first Archaen Cache 0/1.]

His mother detailed that the Archaen classes meant for Archaen Heirs were well-engineered, to point him in the right direction from the beginning. Combined with the Path of Kings Trial, and Archaen Law narrowing his actions, he was likely not far from an Ideal or Concept common among those in his race in the first place. 

Nick’s heart was heavy as his mother detailed her expectations for what class he would ultimately select–and that if not for Jasmine, she just might have fought to stay by his side instead of entering the tower.

“I’m not allowed to give you specific advice, as that must also be earned. However, your father and his father before him, had chosen a racial core. Archaen Heirs are influenced a little less by their mother’s race than most offspring, but it is shown more heavily in this aspect.” 

Nick compared what he knew about genetics from Earth. An Archaen, especially with Heirs, was a lot like certain traits would be dominant no matter what, making them a hundred percent Archaen despite being paired with others. After all, his women becoming wives made them sort of half-archaen already. What was selected from the mother was a couple of Traits and affinities at most.  

He also understood what his mother had left unsaid. That choosing a racial core would be like a remembrance or honoring of her. Nick would certainly take this into consideration, hoping that he could choose something that fit him well among those.

His mother’s gaze changed, as if looking around the room instead of at him. “I wonder, son. Jasmine is likely yet slumbering when you receive this message. But are there already wives among you, viewing and listening to this message? I know you’ll be just as handsome as your father, so I bet this room is getting a little crowded already!” She laughed and turned, and pointed over to the desk ahead of them, a drawer within its many cabinets. “There is a note in here for them. Don’t read it, son. It’s mostly useless for you, anyway.”

His mother just stood there and gave him a bright smile, as if waiting for them to check. Kaya and Eirwen burst forth before Nick could really react, and they began to look at the sheet of paper, a note. 

They both giggled as they looked over it more than once, and blushed a little, causing Nick to be curious.

“Hey, lemme see that–” He had tried to get close so he could read, but Kaya got in his way and even placed her tail right in his face as he tried to read the letter, and Eirwen cleared her throat and stowed away her message in her fanny pack. 

“It’s a secret! Hehe, Kaya and I will read this more in detail later.” 

Nick’s eyes narrowed, he was now even more curious. Thinking about how his unable-to-lie mother worded that warning for him to not read it was definitely suspicious.

His mother smiled at him once more, one filled with love, and a little melancholy.  “That should be everything I can give you now, other than my love. Your father and I love you very much, and you know that. I just know you have become a wonderful prince, and it’s likely my biggest regret that I wasn’t there to see it. I hope whatever path you take, your father’s path or not, that you are still fighting for the people. Stand strong, my Prince, and know that I pray for your continued happiness and success. Hopefully, even to this day, to this very moment. Your father is adamant about the need for this message, but just know that I’m certain his love and desire for the same is just as much if not more than I. I love you, son.” 

Her eyes were nearly filled with tears at the end, before her hologram disappeared.

Nick was overcome with emotion, and Kaya and Eirwen both hugged him. Engulfed in their warm, loving embrace, he did his best to focus on what he had.

Kaya was smiling at him, “I can tell your mother was someone amazing. I really wish we got to meet her.”

Eirwen sighed. “I bet she’d have wanted to spoil both us and you if she was here. That’d have been a lot of fun.”

After a moment of recovery and Nick processing everything, they explored the study, and checked out the many bookshelves. It was well-organized, containing guides to the books contained within a shelf on the edge. 

Someone had meticulously taken notes on what was within the books, saving them hours and hours of time searching for what might interest them. 

It was easy for them to find a listing of the Ideals and Concepts which would be helpful for his many followers within his kingdom, but his personal desk had most of what he personally needed.

The reclining chairs were extra comfy, and there were several tables for organizing research. The four of them spent a time organizing what they wanted to focus on at first, Kaya surprising him with her curiosity, gathering various books and notebooks for note-taking.

“Here I thought Winny was the studious one, you look like you’re champing at the bit to get reading too.”

Kaya blushed. “I’m excited too, okay? This is knowledge someone in Havendale would kill for! Literally.”

Nick was shocked at the number of racial cores he had to choose from. After a quick read on the general premise of forming a core, he understood it, along with why Rebecca had said that merely compressing the cores was not a weaker path.

Eirwen’s pile of books was more than a little impressive. She was wearing her reading glasses, and happily taking notes of her own. “I’m so thankful this is so well organized. I can really find something that works for me here!”

Rebecca too was reading a book, and from the looks of it, it was on the philosophy of faith and being an Archaen Lord’s Follower. She caught his look, “I was interested to see this here, on how one could manage their allegiance to their Archaen Lord while remaining faithful to their divine. I suppose we are lucky that Seraphara requires nearly nothing from us. Many Divine require their faithful to go on crusades in their name, which would be complicated to do while following Archaen Law.”

Nick became thoughtful. “The seeking of wisdom is a virtue the people of Havendale haven’t been able to pursue. Seeing their tainted spirits, I would prefer they joined your church than other options so that they can find some redemption for their minor sins.”

Rebecca smiled at this, and they all continued their study for a few hours. However, Nick and Kaya’s gazes couldn’t stop wandering over to the barrows secret entrance. It might be time for them to explore.