Titan: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 4) Jez Cajiao (top ten books of all time TXT) 📖

of health to the imbiber, as well as  granting a temporary increase in reaction speed of 10% for up to three minutes.

Rarity

Magical

Durability

Potency

Uncommon

No

100/100

8/10

“Sweet.” I muttered, lifting the potion up and swirling it around as I gazed into its depths, wondering how they’d managed to get that effect. After all, if I could just do that alone, an increase in my reaction speed would be amazing in a fight. “Time to get a move on,” I told myself, stowing the potions back in my bag. I’d managed to strip the bag’s weight down significantly and now had seventy slots available.

Pleased with the change, I left Thorn and the others to examine Fenris. Oracle and I hurried off down the bay, out into the crossing corridor, and wandered around a bit, getting more and more confused, until Bane took pity on me and gave me directions.

Two minutes later, I was strolling out onto the upper deck, and I could see the ‘Command Team’ waiting for me. The other ships dipped in closer and hovered, ready for the next part of my plan.

I hurried over to them, carefully crossing a few sections that were merely scaffolding, and jumping across a section that had no deck at all, to reach them.

“Athena, Romanus, Elise,” I said, nodding to each of them, before turning to the person I least expected to be present. “Mal? What are you doing here?” He grunted noncommittally, looking at me, then turning away, so I turned to his companion. “Soween?”

“We had a discussion, Jax… Lord Jax…” Soween calmly stated, taking the time to use my title. “We agreed that we have a deal to get you to the Tower, and then we can look at the future, and how we can make this work.”

“We’re not swearin’ an Oath,” Mal said sullenly, and I grinned at him.

“Aren’t we?” Josh asked, looking confused. “I thought you said we would if the price was right?”

“Soween…” Mal sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You gonna stop your husband’s tongue yourself, or do I gotta rip it out by its roots?” he grumbled, before looking back at me. “So, we’re NOT givin’ you an Oath, not now. We’re happy bein’ smugglers, and havin’ an Airship as pretty as mine, not to mention fast, means we don’t have to do anythin’ we don’t want to. That bein’ said…”

“Yeah?” I prompted, and he held his hand out flat and wobbled it from side to side.

“Maybe… maybe… we could come to a deal in the future, do some jobs for you. On occasion. If the price is right,” Mal offered, and I tried not to laugh.

“And what would the price be?” I asked.

“Spells!” Josh replied helpfully.

“Gold,” Mal demanded, glaring at Josh.

“Supplies and upgrades,” Soween spoke over both of them, clearly fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

“So, you all have separate prices, then?” I asked, confused.

“No,” Mal snapped, at the same time Soween covered her husband’s mouth with one hand and spoke up.

“Yes,” she countered, and Mal turned and glared at them both.

“I told you I’d handle this. What the hell’s with all this goddamn interruptin’?”

“Just making sure you remember everything, sir,” Soween replied calmly.

“Well, I do, okay? This is a deal I’m tryin’ to make, and you keep interruptin’!” Mal growled, then seeing the totally unrepentant look on Soween’s face, he shook his head and turned back to me. “Anyhow, just so’s you know, we’re available…”

“And can be bought,” Josh added helpfully around Soween’s hand.

I chuckled and excused myself from them, turning and walking to the edge of the deck to look out over the clearing, where everyone was gathering.

“Ready to make a speech?” Oracle whispered to me.

“Hell no,” I muttered, staring nervously out over the sea of expectant faces. “You know I hate doing that, right? And that I’m shit at it?”

“You’re getting better…” Oracle patted my cheek, smiling reassurance at me.

“Going from sodding terrible to bloody awful isn’t much of an improvement, in my book.” I grimaced, already wanting it to be over.

“It’s still an improvement, and besides, you’re not that bad,” she insisted, but I just shook my head.

“Nope. I’ll make something up, but that’s as good as it’ll be. You okay to try to string out the Oaths as long as you can while I guzzle the potions?”

“I’ll make sure you’re not overwhelmed, don’t worry. And remember, this isn’t like the Imperial Oaths; you’re not binding them to the Empire and creating a full link to you. This is a simpler Oathbinding, less than a third of the cost.”

“Good thing, that, considering how many of the buggers there are,” I muttered.

“You’ll be fine,” Oracle reassured me as I took in a deep breath. “Romanus? We’re ready,” she called, and Romanus stepped forward to stand at the edge, gazing out over the upturned faces, before glancing up at those that lined the rails of the ships cruising slowly around us.

“Prospective citizens of the Empire!” he boomed, his voice almost echoing as it carrying clear to the waiting people on all sides. “I bring glad tidings! The Empire is reborn. High Lord Jax has assumed the mantle of Imperial Scion and has been recognized as the Heir! We live in momentous times, days where all hands are turned against us, but never despair! For the Legion stands with you, and we shall face the darkness together! I give you, High Lord Jax! Scion of the Empire, Lord of Dravith!” He gestured to me, then stepped back.

“Thanks for that…” I muttered dryly, stepping up to the railing and catching his grin out of the corner of my eye. I took a deep breath and deliberately straightened up, projecting my voice as far as I could.

“You all know of me; those who’ve been around longer know I’m not one for speeches, so I’ll make this simple. I came to Himnel for two reasons: I needed to find my brother, and I needed you. You who agreed, who volunteered, and who took the risk to join me, will