Underlord (Cradle, #6)

by Will Wight

“There are three steps to reaching Underlord. Mastering yourself, mastering the world around you, and then connecting yourself to the world. It’s the third step that’s the most mysterious.”

“It is a personal revelation,” Eithan said. “A true, deep understanding of yourself that causes the soulfire inside you to resonate with the aura around you, activating your advancement.”

The baby squirrel had finally left the nest and grown into a...well, squirrels never turned into anything scary. Call it an ancient sacred squirrel.

Meira is a genius. Someday, she will defend the Kingdom better than I ever will.

Finally, Charity turned to him. “I will make myself clear. If you face Wei Shi Lindon before you reach Underlord, you will surely die.”

Lindon imprinted Eithan’s expression of pure astonishment in his memory forever.

“Humans have to discover what drives their souls to action,” Orthos continued. “It’s the spark that starts their transformation. Sacred beasts do not have to discover who we are. We have to choose.”

Eventually, Orthos passed through the portal back to the Empire, and was gone.

Eithan was waiting for his opportunity. He was going to burst in.

“Yerin, I don't know what I'd do if you were gone. When I think about the future, you're in it.” He didn't know what he was trying to say, but the more the words spilled out, the easier they came. “I don’t care if we go home, or stay here, or end up wandering in the wilderness, as long as you're with me.”

“Eithan, keep your teeth together or I will skin you like a deer.” She looked back at Lindon. “I want to meet your family,” she said. “And I want to see the parts of Sacred Valley that aren't trying to kill me.”

I fight so I won't be worthless anymore,

“Now I owe you. Next time, you won’t have to worry about taking anything from me, because I’ll be repaying your favor.”

Spear of the Golden Sun, from a Path of light and fire. Heart-seizing Claw, from a Path of blood and destruction. Phoenix Wing Burst, from a Path of force and fire. Song of Falling Ash, from a Path of destruction. Gravetouch, from a Path of death. And black dragon's breath, from the Path of Black Flame.

I practice the sacred arts, she thought, because I don't want to hurt anymore.

It wasn't painful; it felt like being scrubbed clean for the first time in his life.

“I walk my Path,” she said, “so my mother will be proud of me.”

It could laugh now. That was…horrifying.

Yerin rose to her feet, washed in soulfire, and Lindon stared at her. Just stared. She had been remade.

“I am called Orthos,” the turtle said. “I come from your brother Lindon.”

I present to you the greatest spiritual elixir ever invented by mankind. Behold…the O’ree’o.”