Irwin's Journey 470: [REVISED] Spreading out

Author's note: So, some of you will be like - wait, didn't we have a chapter 470 already? Yes, you did. However, I had a lot of feedback on it, and in hindsight I agreed with a lot. So, I've rewritten nearly all of this chapter, keeping only a few parts while changing a few others.

Part of this chapter, the final bit in the new Silver city isn't in here now, and will be the start of the next chapter. It will be changed to, though not as much.

This does mean there's no other chapter today, and half the chapter of tomorrow will be something you already read. Still, I think this does make for a better chapter.

I'm curious to hear what you guys think of it.

ALSO: the previous chapter will be removed from the library but remain on my patreon for those who want to, for whatever reason, read it again.

--

"-and how many? We don't know. The short of it is, we found portals deep within every Eternal Mine, and any other chasm and hole," Flowrishin said.

Irwin stopped pacing, focusing on her. Flowrishin was the only one left, as Brecka and Nimlarel had headed out with Rorin to find Rinbus. She had been telling him and Ambraz about what had happened over the last almost two hundred years. It was both more and less than he had expected. 

A war between smiths…

He stared at the ground, trying to come to grips with that. 

"Tutor, what is going on?" 

Irwin looked up, realizing he'd been zoned out, thinking about the things Flowrishin had told him. He considered sitting down, hesitated, then remained standing. 

He focused on Flowrishin, wondering about the strangeness of everything. From his perspective, he'd seen her only a day and a bit ago. She hadn't seen him for a hundred and eighty years... The way she looked at him, talked to him, told him that for her, things had changed. Could he blame her? No. But it did make him worry about time dilations in a way he hadn't before. What if he were stuck here for a hundred years? Or a thousand? 

"Scour is unstable… and far more than we initially thought," he said slowly. "My presence here is causing the time-dilation to swing. Just now, I tried to withdraw my resonance, make it muted, and the time-dilation went up to, well, up to the same strength it likely was until half a year ago. Then, when my resonance spiked, the time-dilation went down to far more reasonable numbers."

Flowrishin was quietly looking at him, then she sighed.

"So, it really is you coming here that is causing this?"

Irwin grimaced, about to answer, when Ambraz interfered.

"No," the Ganvil snapped. "The thousands, or perhaps tens of thousands of portals below Scour's ground are causing this. If we were to leave, the time-dilation here would probably continue to climb until something snapped."

"But that might be hundreds of thousands of years for us," Flowrishin said calmly. "Or perhaps even longer. You told me about the war going on in the Portal Gallery. If we live in a time dilation as strong as you are telling us, we would be able to live our lives without any issue."

"Yes," Irwin said, before Ambraz could explode. "It's possible that if I leave again, things will calm down. It's also possible that the entire world explodes."

Flowrishin's gaze drifted to the bookshelves.

"I need to think," she said. "This isn't something I can decide by-"

"You are forgetting something," Ambraz grunted, interrupting her. "There's an enormous amount of Occulithar around the exit portal, including a big one. They are most likely drawn here by either the amount of soulforce, the time-dilation, or the portals, and there's no saying what they will do. They can only reach shattered words from what we know, but who is to say what happens if there's a tiny tear? If even one of those Occulithar makes it here?"

Irwin shuddered as another idea came to him.

"We need to make sure they have aura cards," he said, looking at Ambraz.

Flowrishin looked at him worriedly, and Irwin realized he wasn't done explaining yet.

A lot of things to do, he thought with a sigh.

--

At least the food is still the same, Irwin thought as he finished the final bite of his massive plate.

Leaning back, he looked around the quiet diner. Brecka and Nimlarel were sitting in front of him, still quietly eating, both lost in their own thoughts. Behind them, the hallway that led to the other semi-private areas was as empty as it had been all evening, though he could hear the soft chatter from the other rooms connected to it. 

"You are sure we are in the right restaurant?" Irwin asked, picking up his large cup.

"Definitely," Brecka mumbled around a large bite of spicy root. "He should-"

There was a soft thud, and Irwin looked up to see a familiar figure had appeared in the middle of the common room. Rinbus had barely changed, though Irwin could sense from his pressure that he was now stronger than most three-soulcarded. He had clearly used the cards Irwin had left him over the years.

"I'm glad you are back," Rinbus said as he reached their table, grinning at Irwin. "I have to say, I was starting to get a bit worried, though, but when those Burrows started going havoc again half a year ago, I knew it could mean only one thing."

Irwin rose, clasping Rinbus's hand in the odd greeting the people of Scour sometimes used. 

"I'm glad to be back," he said, noticing Rinbus's gaze lock onto Ambraz. "This is Ambraz, the Ganvil I told you about before."

Rinbus nodded, grinning at Ambraz.

"Good to meet you, Lord Ganvil," Rinbus said.

"Oh hoh! See that, kid? That's the way you are supposed to talk to your elders," Ambraz exclaimed, his metal lips quirked in a wide grin.

Irwin snorted, noticing a slight gleam in Rinbus's eyes. 

"So," he said, pulling Rinbu's attention back to him. "Things went a bit differently than I had expected."

Rinbus's smile faded slightly, and he sat down opposite Irwin. A soft soulforce resonance hummed around him, and Irwin heard the soft chatter from the other areas fade slightly.

"Lots of things changed since you left," Rinbus said, rubbing his head. "Did they tell you about the Smiths War yet?"

Irwin shook his head. "Only that it happened."

"Yeah… well, do you remember Lord Sachindrian?"

Nimlarel growled softly, and Irwin looked up to see her stare at Rinbus intently.

"I do."

"Yeah, right, for you it wasn't that long," Rinbus muttered, looking at the table as if collecting his thoughts. "Well, for us it's all ancient history, but after you left and it became clear you weren't going to return soon, he began moving again. I never figured out exactly how he did it, but he managed to gather a large number of Card Smiths on his side. Long story short, he tried to take over the Oxarite Empire and the Smiths Guild and failed. But in doing so, he instigated a war that rippled from Cinder Grove to Teinnoran and involved over half of all the Grove and Ridge Lords and Ladies. When it ended, the Grove Elders who survived forcefully took control over the Smiths Guild. Since then, they have been in charge of the important decisions. Lord Frisyuustis didn't like that and created his own town, deep below the Smiths Guild, moving nearly all of the Ganvils there."

Irwin stared at the Accenti in slight disbelief. Flowrishin had told him a few things, but not nearly all of this.

"Anyway, since then, a small part of the Smiths Guild split off and moved to Teinnoran, where they mostly do the bidding of the Emperor Drigarion and his wife," Rinbus said. His eyebrows went up. "Oh, I guess you don't know that Lady Sandrihna managed to create heartcards! She's currently seen as one of the most accomplished cardsmiths."

"That doesn't surprise me," Irwin said, thinking back to Sandrihna and her inherent love of smithing. Then his thoughts turned to Hilbarin Deadslate, who had been Emperor Drigarion for a long time now. "How is Hilbarin doing?"

Rinbus shrugged. "Pretty good. He and Sandrihna had a few kids, who had kids in turn, and they now have a whole family of brats running around," he said. "I still visit him every few years, but most of the time, he's complaining that none of his kids show the desire or ability to take over from him."

"What happened to the Empress?" Nimlarel asked, cutting in.

Rinbus shrugged. "She left the capital a few years after you disappeared, and shows up from time to time. She and Vaidara have been mostly traveling around, and the last time I heard from them, they were exploring the eastern desert, trying to see if they could find an end to it."

"I see," Nimlarel said softly.

Rinbus sighed. "Lots has changed since you were here," he said, looking at her. "But a few things did for the better. There are far more teleporters now, and even a Porters Guild."

Nimlarel nodded, but didn't look up, and Rinbus cast Irwin a worried look.

"Nimlarel will be fine," Irwin said, smiling at the young Oxarite as she looked up at him. "You will be. Don't worry."

Nimlarel smiled faintly before focusing on her drink.

Irwin cast a quick look at Brecka, who nodded back.

"Nim, let's go and explore the new city! We need to find a permanent place to stay," she said, getting up and almost dragging Nimlarel up with her. 

"No, it's-"

"Nope! You are coming with me, so you don't sit around moping," Brecka snapped, pulling her along and waving at Irwin. "We'll be back in a bit!"

Irwin waved at them, waiting till they had left before focusing on Rinbus.

"She will be fine in a while," he said. "But she lost a lot more than me or Brecka because of this."

"I can see that," Rinbus said, pouring himself a cup from the stone canteen.

"What have you been doing?" Irwin asked.

"What you asked me to," Rinbus said, a smirk on his face. "Gather information."

"For all those years?" Irwin asked, feeling a stab of sadness, thinking about Rinbus doing what he asked for that long with no guarantee of his return.

"Oh, don't worry, it wasn't that bad," Rinbus said. "I've become a rather renowned information broker if I say so myself."

Irwin barked a laugh at Rinbus's self-righteous look. It didn't last long, though.

"That said, I am glad you are back," Rinbus said, rubbing his head. "It's been boring without knowing the goal of it all."

Irwin didn't know exactly how to answer that, and instead thought about something else he'd been thinking about on and off since returning.

"What can you tell me about Flamerock and Preg. I had planned to help him with Igg after returning, but…"

Rinbus grimaced. "Yeah, Igg woke up about thirty years ago, and it took all of Pregg's effort to keep him contained. I was there two years ago, and Pregg was still asking for you. From what I know, he's been in contact with the Smiths Guild, trying to get someone to help him, but wel…" Rinbus shrugged. "Except for you, nobody can really do."

"But Igg isn't completely lost yet?" Irwin asked, leaning forward.

"Not as far as I know," Rinbus said. 

Irwin hummed, then nodded. "Alright, as soon as I know how things are going to go here with the Smiths Guild, we will go there."

"About that," Rinbus said, looking at the table. "I don't think you are going to like how that is going to turn out."

Irwin frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, like I said, the Grove Elders decide the main happenings of the Smiths Guild, and Guildmaster Flowrishin only decides on the day-to-day things. And the Grove Elders? Well… they don't like you very much."

Irwin blinked. "What? Why not?"

"Last time you showed up, you caused a lot of change in a very short time, and…" Rinbus shrugged. "These elders are old. They don't like change. So, when you left and the Smiths War happened, some of the survivors blamed it on you."

Ambraz grunted, flying from Irwin's shoulder and landing on the table.

"These old tree-brats are blaming that on us? We weren't even here!"

"I know," Rinbus said. "I think they are afraid of you. Although only a few saw your fight back here, when you cleared those Burrows, and many don't believe any of the stories, those that do… Well, I think they are afraid that you are going to try and proclaim yourself Emperor and take over control of Scour."

"What?!" Irwin grunted. "I wouldn't!"

"I know," Rinbus said, looking up again. "But they will not surrender their own control, and I fear that if you try and force the issue, there's going to be a war."

Irwin wanted to speak up, but Rinbus continued quickly.

"I know you could easily win that, probably, but not without a whole lot of death," he said. "And… I don't think you need to!"

Irwin closed his mouth, leaning back. He'd not wanted to say he could easily win it, for one, because he had no idea how many soulcarded were now on Scour. If there were some that countered him, either by being faster, having more range and control, or something else he hadn't thought of, things could go badly. What he had wanted to say was that he didn't want war. 

"Why not?" he asked curiously.

"You asked me to gather information, and I did," Rinbus said slowly. "You are here to use the time dilation to learn more cardsmithing, right? And to get help with the-" his eyes narrowed dangerously. "-Guidar."

Irwin nodded.

"Well, I think you should just let the Smiths Guild do their thing," Rinbus said. "They have been increasing the general skill of the cardsmiths ever since the war, and if this continues, they will probably reach a level that can help you, and it's working fine without you… No offence."

Irwin motioned for him to continue, not yet sure what he was getting at.

"Well, the big issue with the Smiths Guild is that it's highly centralized. Nearly all of it is here," Rinbus said, waving around. "Only the people in the surrounding area, and from the richer cities, are coming here. That's barely a quarter of the people who live in the Grove, let alone those who live outside. I found three cities, two on the border and one inside, that together could draw in over half of what remains."

Irwin blinked, leaning forward. "You are saying I should create another Smiths Guild in one of those cities?"

"I think… You should create Smiths Guilds in all three," Rinbus said slowly. "Although they are growing and becoming better, the Cardsmiths they… how do I put this? They don't have a lot of incentive to improve beyond money. I think if you create more Smith's Guilds and perhaps create some sort of competition with private lessons?"

Irwin felt his interest start to grow at what Rinbus had said. 

If I do that… I can bring Rorin and perhaps some of the others, he thought, as he heard Ambraz start to hum appreciatively.

"Alright," he said, leaning forward. "Tell me more about these cities and what we would need to do to even start more Smith's Guilds.

Rinbus's grin widened.

--

Three days later, things had somewhat settled, and Irwin was standing in his own chamber in the Smiths Guild. It had been repurposed as a storage for books after he hadn't returned, and even now, a lot of boxes stood in the corners, piled up. 

Irwin didn't care, as he gazed out across the large gorge. It wasn't like he was going to stay here much longer. Technically, he had only remained here so he could talk with Flowrishin, who had left to talk with the Grove Elders. 

Not that we don't already know their answer, he thought with a small smirk.

He focused back on the window outside, drinking in the scenery. Of all the things that had changed over the nearly two hundred years, the Deslote Stretch had undergone the largest metamorphosis. With the absence of the Burrows and the channeling of the Ancestral Coperion, the extreme soulforce density had diminished enough for plantlife to take root. Now, the edges were covered in small trees and bushes, with vines growing down into the dark depths.

Brecka and the others should have gotten us everything we need from here, Irwin thought as he followed a small group of hunters that were trekking along the edge of the Desolate Stretch.

"Kid! That rustbucket did a great job," Ambraz shouted as he began flying around Irwin's head. "There's over seven hundred rank zeros here, a hundred rank ones, and even a rank two!"

Irwin pushed his worry for the future away and grinned at his friend.

"So, Yuust is a nice place?" he asked, unable to keep a sly grin from spreading on his face.

"Agh, that name! How could he?" Ambraz shouted, flying around in agitation. "Calling the first Ganvil town in a new world after yourself. The gall!"

Irwin snorted. As if you wouldn't have done the same thing, he thought, but he kept that to himself.

"What did he have to say?" he asked. "Did he agree?"

Ambraz's wings folded as he landed on the nearby table, the corners of his lip dropping.

"He wasn't happy. Said he already knew about us returning and about the time dilation. Apparently, he took a skill at his last rank-up that allows him to sense the world's stability," Ambraz said.

Irwin turned away from the window, walking to the table and sitting down with a loud thud.

"But?"

"But he agrees," Ambraz said, humming happily. "He will start making a new batch of rank zeros and send them to us as soon as they are ready.

Irwin grinned, leaning back. "Good. What did he think of the time dilation thing we discussed?"

Ambraz snorted. "Besides whining and complaining that it was going to cause him some pain, he agreed with our idea. It should work, though it's best not to do it too many times. Also, you will need to get at least another batch of Ancestral Coperion and fill it up before you try."

Irwin's grin widened.

If that's all? He thought, picturing Scintilla's face if he showed up again in what would be only half a day for her.

"If we get enough Ancestral Copperion, we could go there every week," he said, humming happily.

"Kid… It's going to cost you years to get that much," Ambraz said carefully.

"So? The first time will be in under half a year, then after that it will be shorter each time," Irwin said. 

"You do realize that each time you do that, the time benefit we have here will weaken, right?" 

Irwin shrugged. "It's fine. If we have to, we can strengthen the time dilation."

Not that he was planning on it. At least, not if he could help it. That would mean he would be here far longer on his own. No, he was going to get as much Ancestral Coperion as fast as he could, slow the time-dilation to the minimum he would need to be able to move to Eluathar, and then spend a few hours every so often with his family. 

"Did Frisyuustis have any more impersonate or similar-typed cards?" he asked.

"He did," Ambraz said, and Irwin could almost sense his disgust. "But he isn't willing to give them unless we get him Smiths to bond to his rank-zeros."

"That's fine," Irwin said. "We are going to need to get a lot of card smiths anyway, or we won't be able to create enough carded to start closing those portals en masse."

"I still don't get why those stupid elders don't want to help with that," Ambraz grunted.

"Rinbus told us," Irwin hummed quietly, his mind partially on something else. "They like the idea of having a strong time dilation, so to them, it's a bad idea. It doesn't matter; it's not like they can stop us. Besides, you were the one to come up with the idea to pay people to do it!"

"I know," Ambraz muttered. "I just thought… Whatever! You are right. Most of the people, especially those far from Cinder Grove, only have poor cards. They are going to jump at the chance to get better ones."

Irwin nodded, pondering what types of heartcards he should make for the nobles of the Groves and Mountain Ridges. Both had deep pockets of cards.

"Before I forget, Rinbus came to see me this morning," Ambraz said, drawing his attention. "He has already found a few groups of Centi that are willing to become part of the combat part of the Smiths Guild."

"Great," Irwin said. "Will they be ready when we leave?"

"Not yet. They will need a few months to prepare, so Nimlarel will have to go and get them eventually."

"That's fine," Irwin hummed as he sensed a strong soulforce presence walk to the door. He rose from his seat. "She's here."

"I know," Ambraz grunted. "Let's see what she is going to use as an excuse."

"Ambraz… you know there's little she can do about it."

There was a knock, and Irwin walked to the door, opening it to reveal Flowrishin standing there. Although she looked somewhat emotionless, Irwin could see from the way her hands were clenched at her sides that she wasn't happy. 

"Tutor, do you have time?"

"Of course, Irwin said, stepping aside. "Here, or…?"

Flowrishin bowed her head slightly as she walked inside. As she stopped halfway and turned around, Irwin knew Rinbus's warning had been right.

"I am sorry, Tutor… Irwin," Flowrishin said with a weary sigh. "The Elders have been clear. I am to remain the Guildmaster. You are welcome to join the Smiths Guild as a teacher, but the Smiths Guild will not be putting its resources into closing the portals."

Irwin nodded, humming thoughtfully.

"What would they do if I started closing them?" he asked calmly.

"They had initially wanted me to prevent this," Flowrishin said. "However, Frisyuustis has sent word that we are to allow you to do as you see fit. If we don't, we will not be allowed to bond with any more rank zeros."

She sighed, rubbing her bark-skinned face.

"It's why it took two days. The Elders are old, and only half of those you remember are still here. They see having a supercharged time dilation as a good thing and fear what is beyond the exit portal. Which brings me to the following… Cinder Grove and the Oxarite Empire will be creating a stronghold around the Exit Portal and preventing unauthorized access."

Irwin froze, surprised by that. 

"Do you mean they are going to prevent me from moving through it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Flowrishin shrugged. "I told them they wouldn't be able to stop you if you wanted to leave, and their response was that if you leave, they will enclose the portal in a mass of stone and metal to prevent anyone from returning."

Irwin crossed his arms, feeling his temper start to flare up even with all his planning. 

"This feels like blackmail," he said calmly, raising an eyebrow. "They do realize that if something bad happens with Burrows and other things, they are likely going to ask for my help… right?"

Flowrishin grimaced and nodded. "I told them as much, but they are to old and set in their ways. Besides, they never saw how you fought here or Teinnoran. They think most of the stories are just that, stories. They can't believe you are able to do what you can…"

Irwin frowned, while Ambraz snorted. 

"Well, they can kiss any help in the future goodbye, then," the Ganvil snapped. "Rediculous old-"

He continued grumbling under his breath, while Flowrishing sighed.

"What about you?" Irwin asked.

"I've been trying to find someone to replace me for the last fifty years, and I'll continue doing so," she said. "Rorin would have been my choice, but the Elders have decided that the Guildmaster must be a Viridian."

"About that," Irwin said, rubbing his chin. "I was going to tell you, but Rorin and a few of the others are going to be leaving soon."

Flowrishin blinked, then cocked her head, staring at him. "With you?"

"Yes," Irwin said, staring at the old Headteacher and current Guildmaster. Did he trust her?

Does it even matter if she would tell those Grove Elders? It's not like they are going to be able to stop me anyway, he thought.

He hesitated for only a moment before making up his mind. "I need to have a private chat with you. Are you okay with moving into my soulscape?"

Flowrishin's eyebrows shot open. "You can do that now?"

"I can," Irwin said. "Though it's not without cost."

Before she could say anything, he raised his hand. "It's important."

Flowrishin stared at him, then nodded. "Alright. What do I need to-"

-- Irwin's Soulscape --

"-do?"

Irwin shivered as he felt the massive drain on his soulscape as he moved Flowrishin inside. 

It's a good thing she doesn't have stronger soulcards, he thought, 

"Tutor…?" Flowrishin asked, staring up at his giant self from her spot on one of the shelves. 

"I only have my big body in here," Irwin began, before he blinked and realized he was forgetting something. 

"One moment," he muttered, closing his eyes and focusing on his Aura Soul. A moment later, he moved most of his self that was inside his soulscape into an Aura Clone, which appeared in front of Flowrishin.

She stared at him quietly, eyes wide, mouth slightly open.

"Alright," Irwin said as he sat down. 

"Your soulscape has a building?" Flowrishin asked, looking around, her eyes lingering on his now motionless giant self, which was sitting on a chair in the main room.

"Among other things," Irwin said. 

Flowrishin nodded as she sat down, her surprise slowly fading as she looked at him.

"Rorin and who else are coming with you? And where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to tell you, but it would be best if you don't tell anyone else," Irwin said.

Flowrishin snorted, shaking her head. "Don't worry about that, Tutor. Though I hope wherever you are going, you will save a spot for me? I presume you are going to continue smithing?"

"I'm going to create more Smiths Guilds," Irwin said. "Charters, if you will."

"You… why?" Flowrishin asked slowly, before shaking her head. "No, never mind that. I understand why. You are going to be in control of those, and… wait. More than one?"

"Yes," Irwin said. "Likely three as it stands. All of them will be as far from Cinder Grove as possible."

"I… see," Flowrishin said, sounding confused. 

Irwin smiled, leaned back, and slowly explained to her what his plans were. At least, some of them. He and Ambraz had decided a day ago to keep any talks about getting more Ancestral Copperion to themselves.

When he finished, Flowrishin leaned back.

"That's why you are bringing Rorin and some of the others," she said. "The Elders are not going to be happy about that. Rorin and Doire are among the best of the smiths."

She smirked, then snorted. "Serves them right. Knowing this…" she hummed, looking at the table before looking back up. "I'm not interested in being a Guildmaster anymore, but… I would love to learn more about cardseed forging. We never managed to create them from nothing, but part of that is because I have to do so many other things." 

Irwin didn't respond, quietly waiting as the older Viridian looked around. She blinked suddenly.

"Are those all cards?" she croaked.

Irwin looked around, then smiled. "Most of them, yes."

Flowrishin stared at them, seemingly ready to get up and investigate, before she managed to catch herself.

"I didn't want to leave before, because I feared what would happen to the Smiths Guild," she said slowly. "But if you are going to create more… I'll find someone to replace me, even if the Grove Elders don't like it. When are you leaving?"

"Today," Irwin said. "I was just waiting to talk with you before we head to Flamerock and talk with Preg."

Flowrishin's mouth opened and closed, then she slowly shook her head. "That's too fast… can you-"

"Nimlarel is going to return here in a few months to bring a group of Centi to us."

Flowrishin's smile widened. "Perfect! Tell me where, and I'll be there!"

Irwin nodded, cocking his head curiously. "Are you sure? We aren't anywhere near Cinder Grove, and-"

"Sure? Yes, I'm sure," Flowrishin said, taking a deep breath. "I have been either here or in Cinder Grove for over six hundred years. I was looking for a replacement to find a quiet town somewhere and continue my learning. This? This will be perfect."

Irwin smiled as he got up.

"Let's go outside and find Rinbus. He will be able to tell you where and when."

Flowrishin nodded, her gaze moving to the cards again. She clearly wanted to look at them, but instead she sighed and rose to her feet.

"Every time you appear, my entire life goes upside down," she said, crossing her arms and looking at him quietly. 

Irwin grinned before he moved her back out into the real world.

I definitely can't do that too much, he muttered, feeling how over a third of his soulforce was gone, slowly regenerating.